William "Bill" Marshell Maples

William “Bill” Marshell Maples, 66, passed away February 24, 2016 at home. He was born October 22, 1949 in St. Jo, TX to Roy Clinton and Pauline Maples. As an infant, Bill’s family moved to Dallas, TX where he graduated from high school. As a boy he enjoyed watching his father work on cars and also helping his mother cook. Her spaghetti was his favorite. November 7, 1967, just after his 18th birthday, Bill enlisted in the US Marine Corp, where he served the majority of his 13 months overseas in Okinawa, Japan. During his service he attended 7 weeks of AutoMech training in 1968. Bill received the National Defense Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnamese Service Medal with 1 star and the Vietnamese Campaign Medal. After serving 2 years he transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve and was discharged in Barstow, CA, where he worked for his uncle's wrecking service before returning home to Texas. Bill worked as a machinist until he crushed his hand then became a mechanic for 18 wheelers. Bill married Lori E. Helton and they had one son, Michael. Bill was a private man who loved his family, spending time with cousins and their grandchildren. He was always the first to help someone in need. His passion was anything cars, including going to drag races at Yellow Belly in Grand Prairie, reading car books his brother gave him and watching car shows on TV . Bill also loved animals, he had a cat named “Baby Girl” and a dog named “Peaches”. Bill is preceded in death by his parents; and close relative Bruce Lee. He is survived by his brothers: Wayne (Deidre), Walter Daniel; sister Patricia Downs; cousins: Gina Cantu (Mike), Sierra Cantu (fiancé Ruben Longoria), Alexandra Cantu (fiancé Gabriel Becerra), Michael Cantu, Ruben Longoria, Marty Tutt, Ashley Meche, Amber Oliver, Ricky Brewer, Ryan McNabb, Natosha Meche, Ryann Meche, Akaia Griffin, Jade McNabb and Alfredo Longoria; close relatives: Charles Lee, Virginia Lee, Cathy Mosely, James Putnam, Linda Lewis, Richard Blackstock, James Harwell, Becky Harwell.