William Dixon

William Benjamin Dixon, 85 of Chandler, TX formerly of Wichita Falls, TX passed away peacefully in his home on March 23. Mr. Dixon was born on August 25, 1921 in Wichita Falls. He attended public schools and graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1939. He then attended Texas A&M and was a graduate of the class of 1943. Upon graduation from A&M, he was commissioned for as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army and served during World War II as an air observation pilot in Europe. He was wounded in action when his plane was shot down over Germany in April of 1945. He received the American Campaign Medal with 2 bronze stars, Air medal and a Purple Heart of his service. After his discharge from the Army, he served in the United States Army Reserve, the Texas National Guard and U. S. National Guard from 1946 until his retirement in 1981. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Mr. Dixon, son of Jesse Garnett Dixon and Etta Lou Thompson Dixon spent his career in the construction business starting as a homebuilder and later as a general contractor in Wichita Falls. After moving to the Dallas area, he continued his construction career as an owner's representative for Zale's Jewelers and later served in a similar capacity for Target Stores, where he worked for 14 years until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Dixon or "Bill" as he was known to longtime friends, enjoyed many activities after the war he continued to fly as well as play tennis. After retirement, he enjoyed wood carving and painting. He and his devoted wife Purna Lee also enjoyed traveling and visiting their grandchildren. In recent years, health problems had limited his mobility, but he never lost his sense of humor and never tired of teasing his wife and children. In later years, he took particular pride in the accomplishments of his 12 grandchildren who have brought him great joy as he has watched each of them grow into adulthood. When speaking to his grandchildren he always told each of them how proud he was of them. When speaking about his grandchildren, he would often say "There?s not a clinker in the bunch." Mr. Dixon is preceded in death by his parents Jesse G. and Lou Etta Dixon, his brother Jesse (Pete) Dixon and his nephew Jerry Dixon. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Purna Lee Dixon, his children, Laura Elizabeth Hansbrough and husband Dennis, William B. Dixon Jr. And his wife Karen Dixon, John Robert Dixon and his wife Lee Dixon, Carol Ann Erwin and her husband Roy Erwin, and Milly Ann Vickery and her husband Robert Vickery. He is also survived by his twelve grandchildren, Emily Ann Hansbrough, William Benjamin Dixon III, Andrew Rory Hansbrough, Zachary Bingham Dixon, Sarah Beth Erwin, Caitlin Elaine Dixon, Molly Marie Erwin, Margaret Eden Hansbrough, Margaret Case Dixon, Charles Benjamin Erwin, Mary Elizabeth Vickery, and Jesse Douglas Vickery. He is also survived by many friends. Pallbearers will be Jerry Vickery, Thomas J. Vickery Jr., William Benjamin Dixon III, Zachary Dixon, Charley Erwin, Andrew Hansbrough, and Jesse Vickery. Services will be held at Highland Presbyterian Church in Tyler on Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 11:00 A.M with Rev. Scott Mackey officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Military Burial will be at College Station City Cemetery on Friday, March 30, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. The family will greet visitors at Stewart Family Funeral home on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 from 6-8 pm. Memorials William Benjamin Dixon's name may be made to Legacy Hospice, 120 E. Southtown Drive Tyler. TX 75703 or Children?s Cancer Center; Children?s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com

William Dixon

August 25, 1921 - March 23, 2007