William H Barlow

Good bye my lovely wife Barbara, to my children, step children, grandchildren and all of those that I acquired by marriage. Good bye to all of my friends and neighbors both past and present. Good bye to hundreds of co-workers both living and dead that have come across my path these past 60 years or so of my working career. Life would have been a crashing bore had you not been a part of my life.

I was born on March 22, 1931 in Buckhannon, West Virginia. My father was a Baptist Minister and my mother was the town Librarian. My dad passed away in January 1945, at which time I was 13 years old. Losing a father at such a young age had a profound effect on the rest of my life. I often said, “That from that time forward, I raised myself.” I was preceded in death by my mother, Rachel, my sister Marjory and my brother John. As of this writing, my brother, Allan is still with the living.

From my earliest days, I have always wanted to see what was on the “other side of the mountains,” or putting it another way, I wanted to travel and meet new people. I have had great experiences and there is very little that I would want to change. Let’s take a look at a few new folks that had a profound effect on my life. To start with, there were three Barbara’s. Since I am now 83 years old, it is reasonable to assume that there will not be any more ladies names Barbara hanging around my door in the future. Let’s say a few words about the three Barbara’s.

1. Barbara Jean was a class mate of mine from kindergarten through my senior year of high school. We were always friends, but there was no romance between us until May of our senior year. Barbara had been dating a “college man: and soon after graduating they were married. However, before that blessed event, she held a huge party shortly before the end of the school year. I had no expectations what might happen at the party, but Barbara had plans. She grabbed me by the elbow and pushed me into the closet and preceded to teach me how to “French kiss.” It was nothing like I had ever had happen to me before, and I never forgot it. 45 years later, I returned to Buckhannon to attend a high school reunion. Of course, Barbara was there. She walked up to me and asked, “Do you remember the evening we had the party at my house?” Of course I did and I still remember that night.

2. Barbara Louise Henderson and I met at the First Baptist Church of Columbus, Georgia. One year after we met, we were married on Friday, June 13, 1952. She was 18 and I was 21. For the first 12 years, we had an idyllic life; then she started having a series of stress related illnesses. She finally died of cancer at the age of 61. Despite her many illnesses, she finished college with BA degrees in English and French and a Masters Degree in English Literature. Her greatest success was the job of raising our three children; Virginia Louise Barlow Brown (grandchildren; John and Katheryn Massey) who finished her undergraduate degree in Music and then after her children started school, she returned to college and completed a degree in medicine. She is now a Hospitalist in Kerrville, Texas. William Harvey Barlow, Jr. (Bill) finished his degree in Business with an IT specialty. He is now an independent consultant as an Oracle Application Installer. (grandchildren; William III and wife Cathy and Elizabeth.) It is interesting to note that his future step-mother would hire him for his first job. Katheryn Ann Barlow-Williams received a degree in Journalism from Auburn University. She later finished a degree in Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary and is ow the Senior Pastor at the Oak Hills Presbyterian Church in San Antonio. (grandchildren; Sarah, Rachel and Sam.) All three children are a source of great pride to me.

3. Barbara Ann Proske Barlow and I met at a wedding on August 26, 1995. We had our first date the following week and she quickly became the joy of my life. We were married on April 26, 1997 by our daughter, Katheryn. Kathie started by saying, “Daddy, you have been telling me what to do all my life. Now it’s my turn. Barbara and Bill, life is a journey. Go and live it to the fullest.” Certainly we have tried to do exactly that. We have visited over 90 countries and we are still counting. Of course, when we were married, our families expanded. I was able to add David Browne and his two daughters, Rachel and Leah; Renee’ and Randy Nickerson and their two children Hilary and Cameron and Susan and David Haslam.

I have always heard that laughter is good for the soul and will extend life on this earth. If that is true, I have a long time to live before any one gets the opportunity to read this obituary because you make me laugh on a daily basis.

I am often asked, “What person has had the most influence on your life?” The answer is easy: Junior Gawthorp. He was my high school Chemistry and Physics teacher. When I was discharged from the Army (paratroopers) in 1954, I decided that I must go to college and get a degree. At the time, engineering was a very popular degree plan and because of Gawthorp, I was confident that I could do well in Chemical Engineering. In 1957, I graduated from Auburn University with my BS in Chemical Engineering and went to work for Union Carbide.

My first job was in Houston and then in Bombay, India, back to Houston, Brownsville, TX, Texas City, Brownsville, Boundbrook, NJ, Texas City and finally back to Houston from which I retired in 1986. I worked three years for Tech Staff and then worked for Texas Brine until January 1, 2008. I have been doing consulting work since then.

It has been a great trip and a joy all along the way. What more can I say? Barbara Ann- I love you very much.

The family will receive friends, November 12, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Forest Park East Funeral Home, Webster, TX. A Memorial Service with a reception to follow will be celebrated Friday, November 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, 1511 El Dorado Blvd, Houston, Texas 77062, with Dr. Stephen Oglesbee officiating. (Please note that El Dorado Blvd. exit is closed at IH 45.) In Lieu of flowers the family asks that gifts be made to the Auburn University Foundation in Bill’s name. Please note “Bill Barlow” in the memo line. They may be mailed to:

Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Attn: Jon Wilson

1320 Shelby Center

Auburn, AL 36849

The Salvation Army

1500 Austin St.

Houston, TX 77002-7708.