Blanchard Elliott Bland

Elliott was born August 27, 1945 in Albany, Oregon to Blanchard and Margaret Bland, who moved to Austin in 1949. He grew up in Austin and attended school in Austin, Allen Military Academy in Bryan, and returned to graduate high school at Austin High School. Elliott enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1969. Soon after returning home, he met the love of his life Pamela Stovall who shortly after became Pamela Bland. Elliott and Pam had a passion for live music concerts, attending events at the Vulcan Gas Company, Armadillo World Headquarters, Soap Creek Saloon as well as travelling from Austin to San Francisco attending both indoor and outdoor shows, from Willie Nelson’s First Annual Picnic in Dripping Springs to the Grateful Dead Concert in the Cotton Bowl.

Elliott and Pam had one son, Mark Zachariah Bland. Zach grew up in Austin before choosing to travel the country hopping rail trains and living throughout the U.S and Canada.

Elliott had a passion for motorcycles and took great pride in purchasing “basket case” Harley Davidsons and creating custom motorcycles. In his lifetime, he built knuckleheads, panheads and shovelheads creating the finest custom motorcycles from a box of parts. In his latter years, he built and rode BMW’s and Moto Guzzis.

Elliott was a contract welder who worked in the oilfield for several years and for all the top contractors in Central Texas. His heavy equipment repairs were universally known to be the highest quality and were known to last.

He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting on his ranch in Yancy and at the Cash Construction lease in South Texas. He and Pam were inseparable and if you spoke to Elliott you became acquainted and sensed the true love he shared with Pam for the 40 years they were married, the love and respect they had for each other is something all marriages should aspire to have.

Elliott is survived by his sister, Joy Weaver and husband Bill of Springfield, Missouri, brother Joe Bland and wife Barbara of Austin. Nieces Margaret Weaver and husband Mark Paxton of Springfield, Ann Ludolph and husband Steve of Duluth, Minnesota. Nephews Collin and wife Shannon Bland, Cole and wife Olivia of Austin and great nieces and nephews Jessie, Andrew, Heidi, Charlie, Cameron and Annie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws and the love of his life Pamela and son Zach.

Graveside service will be Monday March 10th at 1:00 pm at Pools Cemetery in Richards, Texas.