William Henry Peckham III

In 1950, Bill married Harriett Carlton. They raised their four daughters, Mary Lou Cozean, Betty Ann Schaeffer, Harriett Geick and Joan House on the family ranch in Richmond, Texas. They owned, bred and raced some of the greatest sires of all time – Go Man Go and Rocket Bar to name a few. He and his family owned the West End Lumber Yard.

In 1968, Bill married Elizabeth (Sissy) Sparks, who would be his lifelong sweetheart, partner and best friend. They raised their son, Will Peckham, in Lexington, Kentucky and Round Rock, Texas. Over the years, Bill enjoyed a long and productive career as an entrepreneur owning such businesses as the Hamm’s Beer Distributing Company. They kept Bengal tigers, black panthers and cougars on their farm. When he and Sissy moved to Lexington, Kentucky, they started Peckhamhurst Farm which was very successful having the most thoroughbred sired stakes winners in 1979. They opened Commonwealth Race Course, the first of its kind, devoted solely to Quarter Horse racing. He also formed the Sprint Racing Commission.

It was written - “Bill Peckham was quite the Renaissance man. He was a dyed-in-the-wool Quarter Horse man and starting the Commonwealth Race Course must be considered as one of the most powerful exercises in vision that we have seen to date and True Grit”.

In 1983, Bill and Sissy relocated to the Round Rock, Texas area and made the decision to follow their other passion, travel. Having traveled the globe together, they decided to share that knowledge and experience with others and they opened Round Rock Travel and Tours. Over the years, they built a business with employees who they thought of as family. They won multiple awards and the business quickly became a prominent and lasting fixture in the community.

Bill enjoyed staying actively involved in his business, which his son, Will, runs today. He was always proud to have the ability to continually give back to his beloved Round Rock. Up until the last couple of weeks, Bill continued to go to the office every day.

He loved spending time with his family, taking many trips with his daughters and son and their families over the years. The memories created will be something that will last forever. Bill will be missed by all.

Bill is survived by his five children, eleven grandchildren, five great grandchildren and many special friends. His family and friends always brought him great pride and joy.

Visitation will be at 11:30 in the Chapel of Angels Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, Texas on Monday, March 8. Service and burial to follow at 12:00 P.M. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, March 11 in the Rabb House, Round Rock, Texas at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Williamson County A & M Foundation Peckham Family Scholarship (wcamc.com/peckham) 407 Round Rock Avenue, Round Rock, Texas 78664..