William Byrd Cavender

He was a graduate of Alamo Heights High School and attended Schreiner University in Kerrville and the University of Texas at Austin.

Bill or Billy, as he was known by his close friends, began his business career along with his twin brother, Jimmy, working at their father's Oldsmobile dealership in 1953.

Under their leadership and that of their father, James M. Cavender, Jr., they built Cavender Oldsmobile to become one of the leading Oldsmobile agencies in the country in both sales and satisfying customers.

In 1979, Billy bought Riata Cadillac, San Antonio's only Cadillac dealership at the time. He operated Cavender Cadillac, along with his sons, Billy, Bobby and Stuart for nearly 20 years before suffering a stroke which forced him into retirement.

In those years, as a Cadillac dealer, Bill continued the Cavender tradition of sales leadership and customer care that today, is the hallmark of all Cavender automotive dealerships. Each customer that he met was always greeted with a generous smile and friendly handshake. He was never too busy to listen to any customer concern or request.

Bill Cavender was a very generous and kind individual. Bill was active in many civic organizations throughout his life.

He was particularly proud of the time he spent on the board of Sunshine Cottage and as Senior Warden at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He also served as Past Chairman of the San Antonio Automobile Dealer Association.

He was a member of The Order of the Alamo, The German Club, the Texas Cavaliers, San Antonio Country Club, the Argyle and Club Giraud.

Bill took great interest in his family and love of the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and time spent on the family ranch in Leaky, Texas floating on the Frio River. Bill's love of the outdoors was passed on to all his children and grandchildren.

Billy is survived by his brother, James M. Cavender III and wife, Judy; sons: William and wife, Cathy; Robert and wife, Stephanie and Stuart and wife, Allyson; grandchildren: Blake, Lee, Southy, Rob, Abby, C.C., W.B., Hank and Tod Cavender.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Brighton Garden Retirement facility and Senior Bridge for their loving care over the years.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

MONDAY

MARCH 29, 2010

2:00 P.M.

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

315 E. PECAN ST.

The Rt. Rev. James E. Folts Ret. Bishop of West Texas The Rev. Michael Chalk officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the Cavender family requests that you consider a memorial to Sunshine Cottage, 103 Tuleta, San Antonio, TX 78212; Texas Cavalier Children's Foundation, P. O. Box 6927, San Antonio, TX 78209-0927; St. Mark's Episcopal Church, or the charity of one's choice.