William Ronald Dixon

William R. Dixon, son of the late William J.B. Dixon and Mary Agnes Butz, was born on January 15, 1935 in Rio de Janeiro. He spent his early years in Brazil, Argentina and Jamaica, moving to Larchmont, NY at the age of ten. He graduated from Mamaroneck High School, received his B.S. from Lehigh University and his M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He served as an officer in the US Army and the Army Reserves. He worked as a petroleum geologist in New Orleans, LA where he met and married his wife, Sarah Tallulah Taylor. They had three sons, all born in New Orleans, and a daughter, born in Denver, CO where he moved to work Rocky Mountain exploration in the 1970’s. In the 1990’s he moved to Dallas, TX to work internationally for a major oil and gas company. He moved to Midland, TX in 2000, a familiar place, as his ancestors were pioneers of the Fort Stockton area. He was a member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Sons of the Republic of Texas, as well as professional organizations including AAPG, WTGS, IPAA, IPAMS, and SIPES. He was active in Scouting both as a youth and an adult as well as an avid volunteer at Helping Hands of Midland. He enjoyed sailing, vintage sports car racing, hunting, fishing, jazz, and literature, especially poetry. He was preceded in death by his son, William Dixon and his only sibling, Phyliss Jane Dixon. He is survived by his wife Tulie, sons William B. Dixon II, of Houston, TX and Barrett T. Dixon of The Woodlands, TX; daughter E. Paige Sandbom, her husband Jeff Sandbom and three grandchildren, Taylor Anders, Victoria Elise and Brendan Mattias Sandbom, all of Parker, CO. The family will receive visitors at Ellis Funeral Home, Friday, August 27, 2010 between the hours of 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M., with a Rosary following at 7:00 P.M. in the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Stephens Catholic Church with Monsignor James Bridges officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that charitable donations be made to Helping Hands, 1302 Brinson Lane, Midland, TX 79703 or a Boy Scouts of America council of your• choice.