Billy J. Driver

Billy James Driver passed away in his sleep October 3rd, 2012 in his home at 83 years of age. He was born January 19, 1929 in Mexia, TX., to Harry and Katherine Carter Driver, the oldest of two children.

Bill graduated from Mexia High School in 1947, where he played football for the Mexia Black Cats. When he was about 17 years old he worked part-time at the Mexia airfield, and his father paid for flying lessons for him.

As an adult he enjoyed putting together airplane models.

Bill moved to Dallas to work for Moncrief-Lenoir Manufacturing, eventually working for the company for 42 years. It was also in Dallas that he met his future “sweetie”, his wife of 62 years, Bonnie Kuehn, and their oldest child, Gary was born there in 1951.

In 1954 the family moved to Houston where that same year his daughter Jeanna was born. Bill served in the Army Reserves for 15 years, achieving the rank of Sergeant in a Transportation Unit.

Dad never met a stranger. Many times we would meet someone I did not know. After talking 10, 20 minutes or more we would part. I would say, “Dad, who was that and how long have you known him?” He would reply, “I don’t know, and we just met.”

One of the greatest days of his life was coaching his Oaks Dad’s club Panthers to the club championship.

Dad lead and taught by example. He taught a strong work ethic, he taught kindness. He taught to defend those who were weaker than yourself or outnumbered or far over-matched. He loved the underdog. He taught self-reliance. He lead the way, cleared the path often just enough to make it a challenge that gave you a sense of pride and accomplishment. He showed every day could be an adventure and there was humor in almost every situation.

Daddy was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Harold Driver, as well as his two kitties who followed him around, Tiger-Too and Joseph. He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie Kuehn Driver; his son Gary, daughter-in-law Joan, and grandsons Jack and Zachary; his daughter Jeanna; sisters-in-law Severa Driver and Shirley Wilhelm; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill Driver: Son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, pilot, Sergeant in the Army Reserves, salesman, loyal employee, independent businessman, football coach. A good and loving man, who will be sorely missed.