Lelan Corder or as most people knew him “Bill” or “Pops” was born in Quanah, a small town in the panhandle of Texas. He moved to the Houston Heights shortly afterwards. As a child he would return to Quanah in the summer to spend time with his grandparents. He went to public schools in the Heights, swam in Buffalo Bayou and spent time exploring Memorial Park with his buddies. He said he made good grades in school when he would go.
At 16 he joined the Army and left on a train from Union Station (Minute Maid Park now). Initially he was assigned to the bomb squad in Arizona and South Dakota, but shortly afterward he was trained as a medic and joined the Air Force. He was stationed in London, England and Ankara, Turkey for most of military career. He returned to the U.S. to a radar base in Dauphin Island, Alabama and after 20 years of service retired in 1969.
After the military he worked in the offshore oil industry as a medic. He worked on various vessels and oil platforms throughout the world. He spent most of his time in the North Sea, West Africa, and South America. Toward the end of his career he worked in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. He worked and traveled to over 40 countries.
Although retired he was always busy. He was a people person and always ready to lend a hand to family, neighbors and friends. His main hobby was garage sales. He liked gardening, cooking and handyman projects, but was certainly not a carpenter or painter.
He never let the little things (or really anything) bother him. He had a calming effect on people. His motto was, “you have to pace yourself”. It certainly worked for him. His almost daily visits with his grandchildren ended with his famous, “I always got time for a hug”.
Preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Dixie Corder. Survived by sons Robert Corder and Brian Corder, 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
We love you and miss you!
