William "Bill" Tuohy

Engulfed by love and surrounded by family, William “Bill” Wilkes Tuohy passed away on April 23, 2023, after a brief and unexpected illness in Dallas, Texas. A doting son, a protective brother, a thoughtful husband, an encouraging dad, a playful grandfather, and a loyal friend to so many, Bill always put others before himself. He believed life was best lived having grand adventures with those he loved, preferably outdoors, enjoying God’s natural wonders.

Born on January 18, 1958, to Barbara and Robert Tuohy in Norfolk, Virginia, Bill was ready to make the most of life from the very beginning. Alongside his older brother, Bob, and younger sister, Beth, Bill was fun-loving and quite literally the core of the Three Musketeers. As a child, Bill filled his days being active, building forts, fishing, camping, and learning through exploration and life experiences. Following family and opportunities, the Tuohy family moved to Deerfield, Illinois, to Denton, Texas, and to Seattle, Washington, before permanent roots were planted in Dallas.

A true example of their mantra “men for others,” Bill graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas in 1976 where he wrestled and played football and basketball, and he studied business and commercial real estate at Southern Methodist University.

Bill learned best by doing and began his career in real estate. He founded Tuohy Homes, learning the ins-and-outs of residential construction before transitioning to sales and management. For more than 40 years in the industry, Bill distinguished himself with his unparalleled work ethic, keen eye for detail, and superb customer service for companies including U.S. Homes, Lennar Homes, and Bloomfield Homes.

Bill’s ambition was given purpose when he met his wife, Carolyn, in the spring of 1983. His signature piercing blue eyes were easy for her to love for the next 40 years as they built a life together. As a husband, he was slow to anger and quick to forgive, he was silly yet romantic, and he worked hard to provide the very best, even if it meant sacrificing a part of himself.

Aside from maybe flyfishing the country’s riverbanks for trout, nothing brought more joy to Bill’s life than his family. Blessed with a heart of gold, Bill was the dad that taught his children the value of a dollar and how to be generous, how to apply oneself fully and to take pride in one’s work, and most importantly, through his example, how to love by always showing up. He celebrated the accomplishments of others more than his own, and although his toughness was legendary, his childlike wonder would routinely have him giggling on the floor with his beloved grandchildren.

Bill is preceded in death by his father, Robert. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his three children, Wilkes (Shaena), Christy (Alex) Eshelbrenner, and Maddie, his three grandchildren, Tenley, Olivia, and Blake, his mother, Barbara, his brother, Bob (Gwen), and sister, Beth (Doug) Launius, and his many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held in Bill’s honor Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 1:00 pm at St. Monica Catholic Church (9933 Midway Rd., Dallas, TX 75220) and a reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood at your local blood bank or contributing to Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas in Bill’s memory.