Bill was born September 28, 1941, the first child of William Howard Taft "Bill" McDaniel, Sr (WW II Veteran) and Alta May Broadstreet on his grandfather’s, Charles Broadstreet, farm near Hatchell, Runnels County, Texas. The family was completed with the births of Bill’s two sisters, Karen Elaine and Debra Mae. Bill's father, a founder and ordained minister of the Church of Christ in San Angelo reared the children in a Christian home. Bill loved gospel music and singing in the church from an early age.
Bill was a Boy Scout and attended San Angelo schools graduating from Lakeview High School ISD in 1959 with awards in speech and band. Bill then enrolled at Angelo State College and joined the Texas National Guard 49th Armored Division in San Angelo, beginning his two lifelong passions for selfless service to higher education and our country.
Bill attended LSU, the University of Texas undergraduate and Law School, and Mississippi State University graduating number one in his college with an MBA. He was a MENSA, member of Alpha Kappa Phi, and an International award-winning Toastmaster.
In response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bill was called to active duty with the 49th Army Division mobilizing to Fort Polk, Louisiana. While serving at the Pacific Army Headquarters, Fort Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii, Bill also taught at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu campus, at Chaminade College and was a Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster.
At the end of the Vietnam War, Bill interrupted his military service for a few years returning home to San Angelo teaching full-time at Angelo State University in the Business and Computer Science Departments including designing ASU's first computer system for the athletic department. During this time he joined the Texas National Guard of Abilene and after several years, the Army requested Bill return to mission specific active-duty at the Pentagon, Washington DC. Bill served 13 years in the Pentagon designing and employing the Army's first worldwide personnel computer system earning him The Legion of Merit medal in recognition of fulfilling this calling. He retired from the Army in 1983 with 23 years of military service.
After his military service Bill taught computer science full-time in the Virginia State University system in Alexandria, Virginia earning Professor Emeritus status in 2005.
Bill was a 32nd Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Republic of Texas and life long Republican.
Bill married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jane Johnson, rearing three sons, William Howard Taft "Bill III" (SFC Army retired) (wife Anna K. Newman) of Killeen, Texas, Barry Glenn McDaniel (wife Pamela Dawn Lewis) Katy, Texas, and Bryan Keith McDaniel (wife Laura Ashley Campbell) of Bayse, Virginia.
Surviving Bill are sister, Debra Mae Hall, sister-in-law Rita Faye Johnson Cornelius, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, special cousins, and lifelong friend James S. "Shelly" Gossett of San Angelo.
The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, hospice caregivers, and friends at Community Hospital, Meadow Creek and The Springs care centers for caring for Bill during the last three years.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 10:00 am Friday August 24, 2018 at Johnson’s Funeral Home, San Angelo, Texas, officiated by Portes Ribble. Interment will follow at Loveless Family Cemetery, Concho County. Honorary pallbearers are Grandchildren Mark Lewis McDaniel, William Barrett McDaniel, nephews Ricky Hall, Dusty Hall, Todd Wright, Robby Cornelius, and cousin Howard Loveless.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Hospice of San Angelo, Alzheimer’s Association and Shriners Hospital for Children.
