He was born on June 13, 1944 to Dr. William and Dorothy Delafield. He was raised in Dallas with his younger sister, Mary Ann. He graduated highschool from St Mark’s in 1961 as an accomplished athlete in track and football.
William is survived by his son and three daughters: Taylor Delafield, Fraun Delafield, Mary York, and Joannah Latsos; his grandchildren: Ryan and Madison York, Sophia, Warren, and Vivian Latsos and Adalyn Delafield; his sister Mary Fraiser; and his cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He married his wife, Ronda Hutchison, in Dallas on February 9, 1979, who left us early on October 8, 2016. They spent most of their lives in North Texas with their children and dogs. We hope we can leave our children with the same example of love that Ronda and Bill left us: to love through thick and thin, through sickness and health, to never give up on each other. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on February 9th. William left us just a few hours later and we take comfort in knowing he went to be with her.
William worked a life of entrepreneurship, owning and operating several business his most prosperous being his foundation repair company. Nonetheless, he said his favorite job was smoking brisket at the BBQ joint, getting to stay up through the night and watch the sunrise over the neighboring church.
William had many friends as a young man who affectionately called him “Wild Bill”. To this day we still aren’t sure why. John Olsen was his oldest friend, having maintained a relationship since their early 20’s. John talked to William everyday after Ronda passed away, until the Lord called him home on March 10, 2018.
He loved his life in Texas having been a multigenerational Texan, but also enjoyed travel with his loved ones. He spent most of his young adulthood traveling the United States, sometimes on his Harley before settling down as a husband and father. After his first daughter, Fraun, was born William tried to instill the love of traveling with her. Some of Fraun’s best memories of her dad are of their trips to Seattle. William loved the mountains and took his family on several trips to Colorado and a father and son trip to Big Bend in Texas. We know William is up on that mountaintop smiling down.
He loved history, especially Texas history, and could tell you the names of every battle, the years fought, and probably even the generals.
He enjoyed painting, drawing and had a great love of music. His love of the arts carries on through his grandchildren who love spending time playing instruments, drawing, and painting. William enjoyed smoking a good cigar or pipe and never passed up a good bourbon. He was an avid collector of knives and guns, hats and watches, and even action figures. He was known to steal his grandchildren’s toys every once in awhile and put them out on display.
He loved to tinker with and repair things. If it was broke (or not) he would try to find a way to fix it.
William enjoyed watching and feeding birds and tending to his plants and yard. He loved fishing as a young man and found a renewed love of the sport in his retirement. He enjoyed sitting in the warm sun and listening to the bird’s sing even in days when he hurt from head to toe.
William was a wonderful father, but truly shined as a grandfather. You showed us what real courage looks like. Stubborn and strong. You taught us to love the little things in life up until the very end of yours. You taught us how to forgive and to let go. How to live and how to say goodbye. You were our Poppa. Our Pops. Your legacy lives on through your grandchildren.
“Say not in grief he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was.” – Hebrew Proverb. Poppa, we will continue to celebrate your life in all that we do. We are so grateful to have had you as our brother, husband, dad, and loving grandfather.
Rest In Peace
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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