Mr. William Raymond Yeager's Obituary
William Raymond Yeager February 4, 1940 – April 3, 2016 William Raymond Yeager, Bill, was born on February 4, 1940 in Palo Alto, California and passed away on April 3, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. Bill entered into eternal life with his good and loving God after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Through the two years of treatments and days of uncertainty and waiting Bill was able to work at the church, travel and enjoy many concerts, games, gatherings and times with Linda and Lula at home. Bill is survived and surrounded by friends from the places and joys of his life, in California and Texas, high school in Wichita Falls, college at the University of North Texas in Denton, and then in Richardson neighborhoods and places of employment. Bill was an only child and spent most of his adolescent and college years living in Wichita Falls. From childhood he was an enthusiastic football player and played into college. As a student and graduate of the University of North Texas, in Political Science – Bill was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, intramural sports, and an avid supporter of the music programs – especially the Jazz Bands. During his senior year at UNT he joined and became a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. He kept lifelong friendships with his friends in these places. During his senior year at UNT Bill met and married Linda Sue French, a fellow student at UNT who had three brothers and a large, extended family. In the Yeager and French families – Bill was a faithful son-in-law, brother-in-law, and uncle – whose greatest joy was being with them playing, camping, celebrating, supporting or being “the quiet one” laughing or hiding in the corner. After graduation from UNT Bill worked as a member of the City Manager’s team for the City of Richardson and then moved to Collins Radio/Rockwell International/Alcatel as Manager of Purchasing – where he worked until his retirement in 1992. But that retirement didn’t last long and he joined the Container Store Corporation as a part time employee and enjoyed his work and relationships there for 10+ years. His last, perhaps happiest, and most fulfilling job was Administrative Assistant on the staff of First Presbyterian Church, Richardson, Texas, where he worked until shortly before his death. FPC was more than the place he went “once a week.” For Bill it was the place where he refined his faith, grew his curiosity about God, stretched his understanding of humanity, and where he himself mentored and led. Ordained as a Ruling Elder, he served as the Stated Clerk at FPC Richardson and on numerous committees, but in recent years was most enthusiastic about his ministry on the Fellowship/Hospitality Committee – a group of friends with whom he planned, cooked, served, and washed dishes. He also enjoyed participating and working as a volunteer for the Presbyterian Youth Triennium for 20 years. Words that describe William Raymond “Bill/Spanky” Yeager: steady, intelligent, funny, practical, humble, tender hearted, reserved, sometimes a curmudgeon, leader, lifelong friend, colleague and good and faithful servant. Favorite things: Movies – Bill’s grandfather owned a movie theatre in Palo Alto, California, and on his way home from school every day he stopped by and saw the “classics” over and over. Sports – He loved playing, coaching and watching many different sports: football, particularly NCAA games, tennis, racquetball, hockey, washer tossing, and fishing. Music – Almost any kind. Random things he loved: keys, watches, keeping calendars, labeling everything, and driving his incredibly plain but well-loved Mazda truck. The Yeager family wishes to thank the generous, loving and incredibly compassionate care given to Bill by Seasons Hospice at Texas Health Resources – Presbyterian Hospita. Bill’s Doctors, Katherine Wang, Texas Oncology, and Howard J. Weiner, Texas, DHAT, and all of the support staff who attended Bill. We give thanks to God for their calling and intuitive care for our husband/father/friend. With very inadequate words we also thank family, friends, and colleagues for being there for us. You are our “Holy Spirit” people and have lifted and held us up in prayer, love and support for these tough years. God bless and give you the Peace of Christ. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 1:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, Richardson, Texas. A reception will follow immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Ben Gibson Yeager and Beth Evelyn Pierson Yeager. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Linda Sue French Yeager, Richardson, TX; his daughter and son in law, Gina Beth Yeager-Buckley and Andrew Yeager-Buckley, Louisville, KY; son, Ben Adam Yeager, Garland, TX; cousins, Suanne Shockey Johnson and husband David, Como, TX, Sally Shockey Whightsil and husband Gary, Mansfield, TX, their children and grandchildren; Bob Yeager and wife Wynell, Schoolcraft, MI, their children and grandchildren; cousin-in-law Pat Yeager, children and grandchildren; brother and sister in law, Don and Donnie French, Dallas, TX; their children and grandchildren: Dax, his wife Lindsay, children Kingsley, Callie, Dax, Clarke and Dash; and John French; nieces and nephews: Terri French, Aaron French, Neal French and wife Jennifer, Victoria, Levi, Bailee, Elizabeth; Jeffrey French; Tim Thomas and wife Rebecca.
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