William J. (Bill) Phelan's Obituary
Rest in Peace Bill Phelan May 31, 1924 – January 22, 2018As a former Golden Gloves competitor, William J. (Bill) Phelan fought a good fight, but lost his final round– on January 22, 2018 of his 93rd year– to complications from vascular dementia.Born a Yankee, in New York City, Bill came to Texas as a young man and never left. He entered the oil and gas business, and said he loved it so much he would do it without pay if necessary. He spent many years in West Texas; then came to Dallas in the seventies to be close to his aging Mother, Minnie. He was a dutiful, loving son and was by her bedside as she took her last breath. Bill is also pre-deceased by his Father, William, and his brother, Bob. He is survived by his beloved companion, Carolyn Harper, his cousin Carole Scinta, husband Joe and family, and his loving Texas family of Randy and Fradean French.As a teenager, Bill picked up extra money by playing baseball for the various ethnic baseball teams in Pennsylvania. At ten o’clock he might play for the German club, then get on his bicycle, don a jersey with a Polish name and play for the Polish Club. A scout for Colgate University watched him play and offered him a baseball scholarship. His schooling was interrupted when the US went to war, and he enlisted.During World War II, Bill served in the Navy on a submarine in the Pacific. When asked by a friend about his submarine service, he replied the food was damn good but it was a bit cramped. While serving, he suffered an injury that kept him in Bethesda Naval Hospital for three months. His fear must have been all-consuming, as he never forgave the Japanese, and even if he acknowledged the quality of their cars, a Ford or Mercury was the car for him. A dedicated Patriot, with German/Irish heritage, he has even turned down beer if the establishment did not stock an American beer.At war’s end, he returned to Colgate University to finish an engineering degree, and he found his younger brother as his upper classman. After graduation, Bill came to San Antonio and began his lifelong passion for oil exploration and began his love affair with Texas. He studied Spanish, bought a narrow brim Stetson hat and a pair of Cowboy boots. However, he could never wear blue jeans. In his Yankee mind, they were dungarees.He knew West Texas like the back of his hand. It is safe to say that the brown of West Texas was his favorite color. Carolyn often teased him that even his wardrobe consisted of forty shades of brown. Bill never saw a tree he didn’t like. He didn’t mind that his front yard trees were leaning like the Tower of Pisa. Autumn would find him in New England, the Smoky Mountains, or the Ozarks to witness the splendid fall color. He wasn’t much on flowers, but did make yearly trips to the hill country when the bluebonnets were in bloom.He was a long time member of the Cooper Fitness Center where he had many friends. He loved walking outside even in the summer heat. In his later years, Carolyn would walk with him as his health deteriorated. He was known for his sharp humor. His eyes would flash and his grin was penetrating as he responded to friendly banter with his friends. Bill was a bit hard headed. Even in the heat of summer, he was determined to mow his own grass. Hiring someone to do it wasn’t in his plan.This past year was spent at Arden Court Memory Care, with dedicated care from Abell Companions and Pathways Hospice. The loving Caregivers were charmed by Bill’s quick dimpled smile and the nicknames he assigned them. Bill was always ready to lend a hand to a suffering young person, and would be pleased if memorials were sent to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 3001 S. Jackson, San Angelo, TX 7690. Family visitation from 6-8 PM on Friday, January 26th. A celebration of Bill’s life will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 27th in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.
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