Billy M. Mann, Age 94, of Austin, TX, passed away March 31, 2016. Billy was born in Decatur, TX on January 12, 1922. He grew up in Vernon, TX and graduated from Vernon High School in 1939, where he was President of his Senior Class. He attended Texas Tech University for one year before entering the service in World War II. After the war, he graduated in 1948 from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Business, graduating with Highest Honors.
On July 19, 1944 Billy married Bonnie Jean Rice in Corpus Christi, TX and they were married for 71 years.
Billy had a passion for family, God and church, Arthur Andersen & Co., golf and the University of Texas Longhorns. He was a lifelong Baptist and was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Vernon. He was also a member of Baptist churches in Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, Ft. Worth, TX, Denver, CO, and Seattle, WA. Churches included Lakewood Baptist Church in Dallas where he was ordained as a Deacon, Broadway Baptist Church in Ft Worth, and First Baptist Church in Austin where he became Deacon Emeritus.
Billy’s entire work career was with Arthur Andersen & Co. from 1948 – 1984. He worked in the offices in Houston from 1948 – 1951, Dallas from 1951 – 1963, Ft. Worth, from 1963 – 1974, Denver from 1974 – 1980 and Seattle from 1980 – 1984 where he retired.
His golf passions were carried out as members of Ridglea Country Club in Ft Worth, Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle, and Colonial Country Club in Ft Worth.
In addition to being a lifelong deacon, his special achievements in life included being an Ensign in the US Navy during World War II where he taught pilots to fly. He was a member of the first college graduating class for servicemen under the GI Bill. He was made a Partner in Arthur Andersen in 1958.
Billy is preceded in death by his parents Lon L. and Laura Belew Mann, his sister Dorothy Mann Henly and numerous Belew aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his wife Bonnie Jean Mann of Austin, TX; daughters Debra Mann of Austin, TX and Dr. Barbra Mann Wall of Charlottesville, VA; grandsons William Austin Wall of Austin, TX and Adam Wall (wife Michelle) of South Bend, IN; also his granddaughter Angilee Wall Scaramuzzino (husband Francesco) of London, England; sister-in-law Barbara Key; nieces Linda Henly Appleton, Becky Key Norsworthy, Linda Key Willingham and nephews Bill Henly, Dan Henly, and Greg Key.
Donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity, Austin, TX 78701; the Billy and Jean Mann Endowed Football Program Scholarship, c/o the Longhorn Foundation, P.O. Box 7399, Austin, TX 78713, attention Amy Folan; or the Eleanor Crowder Bjoring Center for Nursing Historical Enquiry, University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, VA.
Honorary Pall Bearers will be F.O’Neal Griffin, Dan Morrison, Donald Redman, John Cantwell, Ahmet Yayboke, Chuck Bailey, Richard Alvarado and Chip Brees.
A 10:00 am graveside service will be held Tuesday April 5, 2016 at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Austin, 901 Trinity. Condolences may be expressed at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.
The family wishes to thank all of the caregivers at Westminster Manor for their wonderful care these past few months.
Billy made many lifelong friends, especially from churches and Arthur Andersen, for which his family is forever grateful. Billy’s family and friends will all agree that he was one of the most honorable men they ever knew. His daughters, Deb and Barb, say that if anyone wants to know what their heavenly father is like, all they have to do is look at their earthly father. He was the very best father and man in every sense of the word.
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