William Charles Tankersley

William Charles Tankersley, “Billy” to those that knew him, of Mertzon, Texas, went to be with the Lord on February 1, 2014. The family will receive friends and family from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2014, at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Mertzon, followed by graveside services at the Mertzon Cemetery.

Billy was born January 25, 1938 in San Angelo, Texas. He was the third of five sons born to Boyce Elbert Tankersley and Julia Lee Dale Tankersley. He graduated from Irion County High School in 1956 and went on to attend San Angelo College, now Angelo State University, where he was a member of the 1957 National Junior College Championship basketball team, which was one of his proudest accomplishments.

Billy returned to Irion County and started what would be a lifelong career in the family ranching business. He was a rancher at heart and a self-taught, oil and gas businessman by nature.

He was the proud father of William Charles “Charlie” Tankersley, Jr., and Wesley Ryan “Wes” Tankersley and a loving “Gamp-pa” to his grandsons, Tyler West and W. Gage Tankersley. He always beamed a smile when working on Tyler’s jump shot, watching him rope, or bargaining over the last piece of Gage’s “chew-gum”.

Billy was a man of few words, but he used the ones he selected wisely to let you know exactly where you stood with him. That trait could have been derived from surviving in the agriculture business for two of the worst droughts seen by man-kind. He enjoyed telling his family stories of the good horses he had owned, the friends he had made, and the roping’s won over the years. He made sure the first gift he gave his grandsons was a good set of spurs.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Boyce, Jr.

Billy is survived by his children, Charlie Tankersley and his wife, Miranda, Wes Tankersley and his wife, Jaime, all of Mertzon; his grandsons, Tyler and Gage, and a granddaughter, “Baby Sister” that will join the family soon; brothers, Dee Dale Tankersley, Leamon Tankersley and his wife Pat, and Phillip Tankersley.

He is also survived by special friend, Clair Tankersley, of Mertzon, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and close friends. The family would like to extend their most sincere gratitude and appreciation to the countless family members and friends that have offered love and support during this difficult time.

Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 105 W. Juanita Ave., P.O. Box 583, Mertzon, Tx., 76941 Family and friends may sign the online register book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com