W. P. Bill Southwell, Jr.

Wilson Peyton Southwell, Jr (Bill), 91 of San Antonio, Texas passed away on June 27 2017 at home in San Antonio, Texas. Bill was born in San Antonio, Texas to Wilson Pryor Southwell, Sr and Margaret Reynolds Southwell on December 21, 1925.

Graduating from Corpus Christi King High School in Corpus Christi Texas, Bill subsequently traveled to San Antonio, Texas in 1942 to work with his father in the family owned business, the San Antonio Rubber Stamp Company.

The Country was in the throes of World War II so Bill volunteered into the United States Army as a PVT and proudly served his country from 1943 until October 31 1945. Trying to maneuver himself forward Bill became a vital part of the Army Air Cadet Corp Pilot Training Wing and was modulating toward the rank of 1LT when the war suddenly ended. Bill flew a variety of airplanes during his training maneuvers with the Army Air Corp.

Vowing to complete an educational degree at an institute of higher learning, Bill attended The University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1948 with a degree in Business.

Returning to San Antonio, Texas in 1948, Bill continued his trek toward working for the family owned business which was subsequently renamed The Southwell Company in 1962 when the business was molded into a corporation.

On May 19, 1951 Bill fell in love with and married Phyllis Seidemann at St. John's Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas. They were happily married for 66 years when Bill passed away on June 27 2017.

Upward mobility continued to follow Bill as he would eventually become Chairman of the Board and subsequent CEO of the Southwell Company. A Realty Company was formed and titled as The Southwell Realty Corporation which worked in tandem with The Southwell Company.

In 1953 and on into 1954 Bill became involved with the San Antonio Jaycees. Serving as the President during this time frame afforded him another upward mobility piece as he was selected as "Outstanding Young Man of San Antonio" for 1953. Bill also was awarded the "Outstanding President of the Jaycees for 1953-1954" which was a national award. These were very distinguished service awards.

The year 1956 brought another high achievement to Bill as he was selected as one of "Five Outstanding Young Texans", alongside George H.W. Bush, who subsequently became President of The United States.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Bill learned the art of Skeet and Trap shooting and in 1961 became the President of the San Antonio Gun Club. Continuing with Trap shooting Bill captured the State of Texas Handicap Championship for Trap Shooting in 1962. Bill also won numerous state skeet shooting championships and international flyer shoots during his shooting career. As President of the San Antonio Gun Club, Bill negotiated two (25) year contracts with The City of San Antonio which saved the San Antonio Gun Club from being shut down by the City, State and Federal Government when IH 37 (281) was being built in front of the Gun Club.

The year 1962 also brought another venue into which Bill would venture. After building a home on the 17th hole of Oak Hills Country Club, Bill opted to join Oak Hills Country Club and subsequently became a Board Member of Oak Hills Country Club.

Bill became an avid golfer, becoming a member of the board of the San Antonio Golf Association which culminated in his becoming President of the San Antonio Golf Association in 1989. Bill negotiated with H.E.B. to become the tournament sponsor for 1990 thru 1995 which saved the "Texas Open" Golf tournament. A few years later in 1995, Bill again stepped up for the "Texas Open" when he negotiated with General McDermitt of USSA to become the tournament sponsor of the "Texas Open" for seven years.

Accomplishments continued to follow Bill as he served as a member of the Board of Directors of NCNB Bank - San Antonio. Bill also served on the Board of Directors of Bexar County National Bank in the Trust Section. Becoming a member of the Downtown Rotary Club in 1959, Bill served as Military Affairs Chairman during his tenure as a Rotarian.

Through his avid involvement with the Chamber of Commerce Bill was also instrumental in serving as Chairman of Military Affairs at Lackland and Randolph AFB. Continued service with the Chamber of Commerce allowed Bill to become actively involved with the Fiesta Association, Boys Clubs, Boy Scouts (of which Bill was an Eagle Scout), Bexar County Hospital District as well as the Manufacturers Association.

Bill has been a Past President of the National Association of Architectural and Metal Manufacturers and has been listed in Who's Who in the South and Southwest.

The year 1994 brought yet another award to Bill when he was selected to be "Outdoorsman of the Year" by the San Antonio Anglers Club for his numerous hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation efforts.

In 2016 The Southwell Company was recognized as a contributing entity within the San Antonio community by the Texas Historical Commission, The State of Texas, The City of San Antonio and Bexar County. The Southwell Company has been in business since 1866 and has continually been awarded the contract to manufacture the Texas Historical Markers which are so prominently displayed throughout the State of Texas. It was Bill Southwell who worked with Gov. John Connolly, John Ben Sheppard and numerous other great Texans to organize, develop and implement the Texas Historical Marker program for the State of Texas.

Bill is preceded in death by his father, Wilson Pryor Southwell, Sr, his mother, Margaret Reynolds Southwell and his sister, Peggy McClure.

Surviving Bill Southwell are his wife, Phyllis Southwell, his daughter, Deborah Southwell, his son Billy Southwell (Lisa), his son Scott (Michelle), his grandchildren Kellie, Greg, Ashley, Morgan, Scotty, his great grandchildren Mazi, Shane, Olivia and nephew Joe Roddy (Beth).

Funeral services are scheduled at St. John's Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas (located at 502 E. Nueva St., San Antonio) at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 8, 2017. A private interment at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.