William Burton Pardue Sr.

William Burton (Bill) Pardue, 86, of Sugar Land, TX passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, due to complications from lung cancer. The son of Dr. A. E. Pardue and Florence Honeycutt Pardue, Bill was born in Alexandria, LA on May 13, 1930. After graduating from Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as an officer from 1951 to 1956. He earned two degrees from Louisiana State University: a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1951 and a Master of Business Administration in 1957. Bill spent his entire career in the life insurance industry, getting his start at Pan-American Life in New Orleans, LA in 1957. He joined the American General Group in 1966, serving as vice president and senior personnel officer of the Life and Casualty Insurance Company of Tennessee. In 1972, he was appointed to the top personnel job in the American General Group and moved to Houston to become vice president-personnel of the parent company. He returned to Tennessee in 1984, serving as president of American General Life Insurance Company until his retirement in 1992.

Although Bill clearly loved what he did for a living, his enjoyment of work was eclipsed by his love of God and love of family. That love was best evidenced by the selfless manner in which he cared for his wife, children and grandson through the years. He was a wonderful provider, a ferocious protector and a generous giver to friend and stranger alike.

Bill is survived by his beautiful wife of 56 years, Rose Marie Borrello Pardue, and his two children: Lynn Pardue Taylor (husband, Gary) of Sugar Land, TX; and William Pardue, Jr. (wife, Michelle) of Folly Beach, SC. He is also survived by his only grandchild, Jeffrey Austin Taylor of Houston, TX; his sister Florence Ann Davis (husband, John) of Denham Springs, LA; and his sisters-in-law Joyce Pardue of Denham Springs, LA, Carolyn Pardue of Baton Rouge, LA and Judie Pardue of Knoxville, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Albert Pardue, Raymond Pardue, and Rev. James Pardue.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Sycamores of Sugar Land, Memorial Hermann Hospital - Sugar Land, Silverado Hospice of South Houston and Emerus Hospital, for their loving care of Bill during his illness. A private family service and burial will be held on Friday, October 28, 2016; Rev. Jason J. Nelson will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Bill’s memory to the Pardue Scholarship Fund at Carson-Newman University, 1646 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN 37760, which supports those going into the pastoral ministry.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ~Matthew 11:28