William J. Emick

William "Bill" John Emick, also known as "Mr. Bill," "Wild Bill," "Yo Baybee," "#1 Warthog" and affectionately as "The Wolf" was born again into Heaven on September 5, 2005 after sustaining serious injuries from an auto accident on April 16, 2005.

Bill was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on April 17, 1931 and was 74 years old. His parents are William and Mabel Myers Emick of Atlantic City.

He is survived by his sisters, Jeanette Prosser, Amanda White, Anne Galbraith, and Dorothy Buzzard, of the East Coast. He is survived by his three children, Richard Emick, Cherie Emick, and James Emick. He also has six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all of San Antonio. Among his best friends are Bonnie Braun; his former wife, Nancy Emick; as well as Larry Van Horn.

Bill was stationed in San Antonio with the Air Force where he was honorably discharged as a First Class Airman in 1955. In 1956 he started work with the Civil Service for the Air Force and retired after 35 years of service. He worked in the Directorate of Maintenance and for thirteen years was employed in the Directorate of Material Management. Bill has served as Chairman of the Nominating Committee of the GECU Governing Board. The Kelly Apprentice Club designated him as Top Apprentice in 1960 while he worked with the B/58's and B/70's. He was the chairman of the Kelly AFB Apprentice Club for two years. He has served as chairman of several Kelly Management Club special committees during his 10-year membership. Bill went to school at night and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in 1977 from Southwest Texas University. He was designated as the Air Force Engineering and Technical Services Rep for the C5A in 1978-79. He received the award for outstanding community service from Sanyo for his work with the Youth Employment Program in 1979. In 1984 he received the Air Force Daedalian Award. In May of 1982 he was promoted and moved to McClellan AFB in Sacramento, CA. There he received the award for Meritorious Civilian Service as Deputy Chief of the A-10's. He was the MMS Deputy Division Chief of the Sacramento Air Logistics Center where he set the record for the A-10 readiness rate and earned the name WJ "Wild Bill #1 Warthog" from the Tactical Air Command. He retired as a GM15 from McClellan AFB in 1986 where a U.S. flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor. After retiring from Civil Service to the Air Force, Bill started investing in real estate where he became one of the single largest property owners in Bexar County.

He was in countless volumes of "Who's Who in the World and Finance and Industry." He has been quoted by Heloise as saying, "Life is your attitude toward it."

Being of very handsome looks and intelligence, he was voted San Antonio Women's Single Society Bachelor of the Month in May of 1981 and Aug. of 1987.

Bill Emick was responsible for the integration of the NCO Club. He was an avid Spurs, football, sports fan. He was beyond athletic. He played basketball and baseball. He won Best Hitter for KAFB Slowpitch Softball and all tournaments. He was Slow Pitch Champ in 1961 with a no hit/no run known as Lefty "Ace" Bill Emick. His team won the State TAAF Slow Pitch Championship in 1964 and 1966. Bill played Water Volleyball and his team won at least 8 local trophies and the State Championship.

He was the best at Racquetball, winning countless local championships, plus 1987 State and South Regionals. He also played in Sacramento and won numerous tournaments. He also won 3 Gold Medals in the Senior Olympics Racquetball Tournaments. One of the organizations Bill was proudest to be a part of was PARTI.

He received the President's Award for his contributions to San Antonio. His award reads, "The strength of the wolf is in the pack. The strength of the pack is in the wolf. The wolf will be missed."

Bill is also known for writing two of the most beautiful prayers ever written. Although he was too modest to do so, his granddaughter Tracy sent his prayers in to a nationwide poetry contest where he won first place and was published.

Bill's favorite pastime was shooting craps, as he was well known as a high roller all over the country.

Bill Emick was a loving, caring, clever, funny, hard-working man and we will surely miss him. Thank you for everything and thank you for being the best father and friend in the world. He loved nature, camping, fishing, jazz and dancing.

Thank you for touching so many lives in such a beautiful way. Yo Baby!

Bill will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at Porter Loring on 1604. After the service, a celebration of his life will be held at Raffles, 8633 Crownhill.

In lieu of flowers, please send your contributions to the San Antonio Local Parkinson's Organization, Wildlife Rescue, or the Animal Defense League, 11300 Nacogdoches Rd., San Antonio, TX 78217. Thank you so much. The loved ones and relatives on the East Coast will hold a memorial in October and give donations to M.A.D.D.