William Franklin Menefee

William (Bill) Franklin Menefee, age 95, died peacefully with his two sons at his side on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. He was born on August 9, 1923 in Terrell, Texas. During Bill’s lifetime, he resided in Wichita Falls, Texas; Houston, Texas; Mandeville, Louisiana; and most recently in Dallas, Texas.

While still 18 years old and during WWII, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces (AAF). He was a radio repair specialist and staff sergeant in the American Theater, located in Panama during most of his time in service. He was discharged at Davis-Monthan Field in Tucson, Arizona on October 22, 1945.

Following his military service, Bill attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas where he met the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Norma Jean Ried Menefee. They were married in Port Arthur, Texas on December 27, 1947. After marriage, Bill earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas in 1949. Bill was the first member of his family to obtain a college degree.

After graduating from college, Bill was employed by Texaco, Inc. in various engineering and management roles for the majority of his professional career. He finished his career employed by Loop, Inc. having managed the design and construction of the communications system for the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port before he retired.

Bill loved his family and enjoyed spending his summer vacations with them camping, swimming and boating at beautiful lakes located across the North Texas area. He volunteered his time to the Boy Scouts of America and attended many scouting trips and activities with his sons, Bob and Mike. He also coached his sons little league baseball and football teams during their childhood. His hobbies included building small scale train sets and tinkering with electronic gear in his garage.

He is preceded in death by his wife Norma Jean Ried Menefee; his father and mother, Wallace and Laura Menefee and his father and mother in law, Elmer and Edwina Ried.

Bill is survived by son, Michael E Menefee and daughter-in-law Sue Menefee of Dallas, Texas, and grandson Brad Menefee and wife, Katie Menefee of Tucson, Arizona, and grandson Michael C Menefee of Richardson, Texas; son Robert E Menefee and daughter-in-law, Yvette Menefee of Sugar Land, Texas, and granddaughter Kara Lam and husband Justin and great grand children Lila Lam and Teddy Lam of Houston, Texas.