Bill T. Norris

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bill Norris, Whitehouse, Texas. He passed away Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the age of 88. Born January 9, 1937, in Van Zandt County but his family eventually made their way to Flint in 1953 where he graduated from Bullard High School. He was a hard worker his entire life beginning on the farm as a young boy and eventually General Electric (now Trane). He moved on to his dream career when he began driving an eighteen-wheeler cross country for Western Foundry, a job he held for 40 years. When he drove his truck in for the last time and they closed the plant behind him, he owned and operated a dump truck. After many years of that, he realized he missed seeing a long trailer in his rear-view mirror so he went to work driving a truck for and eventually retiring from Tyler Building Systems. He was very active in his community and the school district. He held the role of president twice in the Whitehouse Band Boosters as well as The Young Farmer’s Association. He was a member of the first Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department and was Fire Marshall for the city of Whitehouse and General Electric. Bill was first at lots of things. He was the first born of five children to LA and Helen Norris. The first to arrive at church every Sunday morning to unlock the doors and make the coffee. He was also, the first to offer a helping hand, advice, or an opinion. He loved watching westerns, driving a tractor, fishing off the bank, and traveling (especially camping). But what he fiercely loved more than those things was God, his family, and his friends. Those left to navigate life without Bill are his wife of almost 70 years, Betty; his son Scott and his wife Luann; and his daughter Susan Elise and her husband Greg Jenkins. Bill was, also, blessed to be Pawpaw to the best grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Josh and Farida Norris and their daughter Lily; Sara Brown and her children Matthew and Emery; Justin and Carissa Jenkins and their children Harper and Jett and Parker and Sarah Jenkins and their son Jack. He is survived by two sisters, Leita and her husband Jerry Eubanks and Linda Abna and many nieces and nephews as well. Bill was also lucky enough to have a great number of friends including Danny, who was always there for him, Wade, who always instinctively knew when to just show up and Christopher, who never made him feel old. Our lives will never be the same, but he will forever be in our hearts. He will, also, be on our minds every time someone is letting all the cold air out or “wallowing” on the furniture. Pallbearers are Josh Norris, Justin Jenkins, Parker Jenkins, Matthew Brown, Arnold Bernardino, and Mike Jenkins. Services for Bill will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Whitehouse with Rev. Sherman Mayfield officiating. Interment will follow in Whitehouse Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Stewart Family Funeral Home. In Tyler.

Bill T. Norris

January 9, 1937 - September 18, 2025