Bill “Wild Bill” DeShazer, 73, of Lake Brownwood, Texas died on Monday, April, 29, 2013 at his home of cancer. Funeral services have been set for 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 2 at Davis-Morris Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 4:00 P.M in the Hillside Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Snyder, Texas. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, May 1, at Davis-Morris Funeral Home.
Bill was born on October 29, 1939 in Clarksville, Texas. His parents were Jet and Ramah Ward. On October 9, 1982, he married the love of his life, Janice Melton of Midland, Texas. Bill is survived by two daughters; Jamie Frances Sewell & husband Dub of Greeley, Colorado & Dana Starr & husband Paul of Ransom Canyon, Texas. One son; Max Cotton & wife Callye, of Lubbock, Texas. One sister; Bettye Stevens & husband Bill of Arlington, Texas. Grandchildren; Chris Starr, Andrew Starr, Kyle Cotton, Kade Cotton, Kolton Cotton, Coy Sewell, Jaylee Sewell, Payton Slaymaker & Taylor Slaymaker. Numerous nieces, nephews and a special friend Charlie Ed Elliot of Midland, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his faithful dog, B.D. which stood for Bill’s Dog.
Following his graduation from Clarksville Texas High School, Bill joined the U.S. Navy and served from 1958 through 1962. Following training, he served aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Saratoga CVA 60 “Mighty Sara” which was attached to the Sixth Fleet, spending much of the time off the coast of Florida and in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1963 he joined Western Electric, (now Lucent Technology) a subsidiary of AT&T, and remained with them as an installer of central office telephone equipment for 35 years until his retirement in February 1998. It was there that he earned the nickname, “Wild Bill”. Thanks to his vast experience with Western Electric, Bill became Mr. Fix-it, assembling, repairing, and working on anything and everything. If anything needed to be fixed, Bill could do it. Besides being an avid fisherman, Bill loved to fry those filets. He was also a die-hard Texas Rangers and Dallas Maverick fan and the Tom Landry Dallas Cowboys. Next to marrying Janice, one of the highlights of his life was attending, with his son-in-law, Paul, a Texas Ranger game during their World Series appearance. Janice recounted that as he followed Paul into the Ballpark in Arlington he was in awe of the place, trying desperately to soak in sights and sounds to the fullest. Unfortunately, the Rangers lost the game.
He confessed his faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was baptized in 1952. In 1997, he asked Janice if he could attend church services with her at the Lake Brownwood Church of Christ. She joyfully replied “Yes”. Thereupon, Bill rededicated his life and became an active member of that congregation. In Janice’s words, he was a good man, a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Bill was fair, honest, a hard worker, and didn’t put on airs for anyone. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was a cook, handyman and took care of everything. His favorite saying was: “You can lead me a lot farther than you can push me.”
A special thank you to Linda Slaymaker R.N; special neighbor & friend. Thank you Linda for your help and love for Bill. Also would like to thank the Lighthouse Hospice nurses for all the help. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made in Bill’s name to the Cherokee Home for Children; P.O. Box 295, Cherokee, Texas 76832. Please leave online condolences at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com. Davis-Morris Funeral Home in Brownwood is in charge of the arrangements.
