Billy Ray Willeford

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On Wednesday, April 11, Bill kissed Ruth on the cheek and left for his usual Wednesday morning golf game. The sky was beautiful. He met up with his buddies. You never know what the day may bring.

Bill was born in Leesville, Texas March 26, 1937 to Melvin and Elle Lena Willeford. Bills family lived in Gonzales, Texas where he spent his childhood and adolescent years. Upon graduation from Gonzales High School in 1956, Bill enlisted in the Army the very next day and headed to Fort Bliss, Texas. He spent time in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and Fort Belnoia, Pennsylvania as well as Walter Air Force Base.

Bill was dispatched and boarded the Navy vessel USS General H W Butner in 1957 heading to Kaiserslautern Germany where he served three years. During his tenure he spent time with the 784 Engineering Unit as well as time in Beirut as a driver for Special Dignitaries. Bill proudly shared stories of his experiences in the military. He was very honored to be a United States Army veteran.

Returning from military service he began a lifetime career in the oil and gas industry within the Gulf Coast area of Texas.

Bill married Wanda Barber soon after, and they had two sons, Brian Keith and Dewayne Scott.

The oil business continued to boom in Texas and Bill settled in the Corpus Christi area in the late 1970s where he meet his wife, Ruth, and they have been happily married for the past 34 years. Bill embraced Ruth’s three daughters, Debra, Frankie and Tammy. Together Bill, Ruth and all of the children became one big loving family.

After retiring from the oil industry, Bill and Ruth moved to the Austin area to be closer to family members. Bill became a member of the Bannockburn Baptist Church. Bill also joined the Grey Rock Golf Club and later was invited to become an Ambassador “Marshall” for the course.

Bill was passionate about his golf game, Friday Night high school football and his Chinese Pug, “Gen”.

Bill was very outgoing and made friends easily. He will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and four children, Debra (Tom) Broderick, Tammy (Bret) Nordquist, Brian Willeford, Scott Willeford, seven grandchildren, Charlotte (Jason) Mangan, Erica (Joshua) Yarger, Brian (Jean) Broderick, Robert (Christina) Morlan, Erin (Matthew) Kraxberger, David (Katie) Broderick, and great grandchildren, James Morlan, Donovan Jandes, Ethan Jandes, Drew Yarger, Eli Jandes, Callie Yarger, Reese Yarger, Jediah Mangan, and Jaxson Mangan. His sister, Evelyn from Jacksonville FL, Mildred (Kenneth) Brewer from Alexandria, LA, June (Jeff) Beish from Lake Placid, FL, Bobby Willeford from Wharton, TX, and seven nieces and nephews.

Bill is preceded in death by his father, Melvin, Mother, Elle Lena Willeford, brother Raymond Freck Willeford, Sister in Law Glenna Willeford, and daughter Frankie Stevens.

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