William Lee Mayo's Obituary
MAYO, WILLIAM LEE On Monday, August 18, next to loved ones in Dallas, Texas, William Lee Mayo went to live in peace with his Lord and Savior. He lived 79 beautiful years with the joy, hope and love that flowed abundantly through his faith in the Lord and the power of the gospel he believed and shared. William was born January 2, 1929, to John W. Mayo and Annie Dunn Estes-Mayo in Texarkana, Texas. He graduated Texarkana High School in 1946, and that same year became a student at Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He made many life-long friends at Texas A&M and remained a passionate fan of Aggie football all his days. After graduating Texas A&M, William served in the U.S. Air Force from Jan. 1951 to Oct. 1955. While piloting B29-bomber he was involved in a secret operation in which he transported central intelligence agents and supplies across enemy lines. Bill married Delle Fagan Mayo on June 25, 1955, in Sinton, Texas, and made their home in Dallas for 53 years. He merged Mayo Insurance Agency with Alexander & Alexander in 1971. Until his retirement in 1990, Bill was always named top salesman by Alexander & Alexander. In his book about Alexander & Alexander, John Bogardus, CEO, names Bill as one of the top three salesmen in the history of the company. He was a Life Member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. Since 1966, Bill has served on the board of Inwood National Bank as an overall administrator. After retirement, he enjoyed many days playing golf at Northwood Country Club. He was a member, former deacon and usher at Grace Bible Church nearly 40 years. He was also a member of Bible Study Fellowship. He will be most remembered for his great love and dedication to his family and friends, his generosity, humorous spirit and sincerity. He will be remembered by the children in Oak Cliff he read books to for seven years as a Life Long member of the salesmanship Club of Dallas, by distressed strangers who phoned NeedHim Ministries and found comfort, strength, wisdom and faith in the message he shared to them from the opposite line. His blessed survivors are his wife, Delle of Dallas and sister, Ann Mayo-Shands of Lufkin, Texas; son, Michael Estes and wife, Barbara; and their children, Josh and Hunter of Dallas, Texas; Leigh Ann Mayo-Hawthorne and husband, Hal Hawthorne; their children, Ashleigh and Mayo Whaley and Wright, Marshall and Haley Hawthorne; brother-in-law, Calvin Fagan and wife, Joan of Sinton, Texas; nieces and nephews, H. J. Shands III and wife Susie of Lufkin, Texas; Becky Shands-Getter and husband Kerry of Bastrop, Texas; Gary Fagan and wife Elizabeth of Sinton, TX; Mark and Brenda Gayl Mullinix of Sugar Land, Texas.
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