William Riley Mcelhaney

Bill McElhaney passed away peacefully with his family by his side on April 3, 2008 in Austin after a lengthy illness. Bill was born in McAlester, Oklahoma on February 21, 1931 to Floyd R. McElhaney and Margaret Davis McElhaney. In 1937 he moved to Junction, Texas with his mother, Margaret Bowers and Robert Allen Bowers. After graduating from Junction High School in 1950, he worked throughout Kansas and Texas with Goodyear Tire Company. Bill met the love of his life, Patsy Dee Wheatley while working in Kansas and they were married in Junction on September 13, 1958. He worked for 20 years at Nelson Motors as a car salesman while raising their 3 children. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a deacon of the College Street Church of Christ in Junction, and also a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. In 1980, he opened McElhaney Exxon in Junction and operated it for the next 20 years until retirement in 2000. In 2006, he and Patsy moved to Austin. Bill enjoyed years of ranching at their property near London, Texas. Some of his happiest moments were with his family and friends at 'The Place' for barbeques and outings. He was an avid fisherman and hunter with a great love for the arid desert of west Texas. Bill was a very talented country music guitar player and entertained audiences in many ways; from live radio shows in the 1950's to recorded and live music performances throughout his life. He shared his love for music with his children in their family band. Bill was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by wife Patsy of 49 years, daughter Michele Melo and husband Stephen of Austin, son Michael and wife Laurie McElhaney of Austin, son Mitchell and wife Charlene McElhaney of Kerrville and three grandsons, Kristoffer and Dennis McElhaney and Rocco Melo. He is also survived by his sister Margaret Ann Bowers Brown and husband Tom and brother Bob Bowers and wife Kay. Graveside services will be held at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery (2800 Hancock Drive) in Austin, Texas on Monday, April 7 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to Texas Parks & Wildlife or the National Kidney Foundation. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com