William Austin McMeans

We were blessed with Austin's larger than life presence for 20 years. He loved his family, he loved history, he loved the Horns, he loved dogs, he was kind, and respectful. He was so much better than all of us - a better person, smarter, funnier -- just better in every way. Please let the memory of his smile, his laughter fill your hearts with joy and smile broadly and proudly if you knew him.

He was an All-State Offensive Lineman for the St. Michaels Crusaders, he volunteered many hours at the I Once Was Lost Pet Advocacy Center, and he was a WWII reenactor for Company G at Camp Mabry. He worked diligently to be accepted into the University of Texas and made it into school. A Pledge Class President for his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. He loved his Delt brothers as no one could imagine. He lived a full and remarkable life in those 20 years.

The demons and inner darkness that he masked so well but overwhelmed him are now gone, and he is at peace. He is probably offering suggestions on how to better manage Heaven in his not so shy, loquacious way.

We offer this modified biblical verse in tribute to the true character of William Austin McMeans:

The path of the ball carrier is beset on all sides by the inequities of the opposition and the tyranny of the defense. Blessed is he, who in the name of victory and a good ground game, shepherds the ball carrier through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost quarterbacks. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to tackle and destroy my brothers.

And you will know my name is the O-Line when I lay my vengeance upon thee!

So Austin, go make some blocks in Heaven for your true brethren. We will miss you, we understand, and with full hearts we say goodbye for now.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis, 411 Ranch Road 620 South.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis Chapel. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers we request donations be sent to one of two charities Austin was deeply involved in: I was Once Lost but Now I'm Found Animal Advocacy at http://www.pawsitively.org/ or The Texas Military Forces Museum at http://texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/.