William B. Plunkett

William Boyd (Hoppy) Plunkett, passed from this life to eternal peace and joy on August 4, 2022 after suffering multiple health issues. He was born on December 29, 1943 in Jacksonville, TX, the second of two sons of Joe Bob and Helen Plunkett of Overton, TX. His older brother, Bob, tagged him with the nick name “Hoppy” early on after the popular western cowboy star, Hopalong Cassidy. He spent his first 8 years in Overton and attended Overton grade school. The family moved to Gregton in 1951 where the boys attended Pine Tree Schools. After a year in Ft. Worth, TX they moved to Lubbock, TX where he lived until 1960. By now “Hoppy” had become “Bill” when the family moved to Andrews, Texas. Bill graduated from Andrews High School in 1963. Bill attended Odessa Junior College and then joined the U.S. Navy. Following Boot Camp, he was assigned to Cubic Point Naval Base in the Philippines. He was promoted to Petty Officer - Aircraft Mechanic (Jet Engine) 921, received the National Defense Service Medal and faithfully served until he was honorably discharged in 1971. He was recommended for re-enlistment. After returning home, he was hired by Pan American Petroleum, which later became Amoco Oil Production and worked until he retired in 1994. Bill was known for his mechanical and artistic skills. He knew how to work and make things work. He loved to go dove and quail hunting with his son, Jaylon and dog “Blue”. Most of all he loved the Lord, his children/family and was a good neighbor, always willing to help those in need. Bill always attended his children’s sports events. It was a teaspoon full of honey before each event. His whistle was defining and like none other. We always knew where dad was in the stadium, till the end of the competition. His whistle kept us on pace and inspired each of us to be a champ. Daddy always had the best yard on the block. He loved performing yard work and had the best “green thumb.” He and his son, Jaylon, had their own yard business. He worked tirelessly throughout the day only to come home and run the business with his son. He would take avocado seeds and nurture them into trees on his back patio. Bill always had an ear just to listen and give great advice. We loved his orange and white Ford pickup truck, especially when he let each of us kids sit in his lap and drive. If we ever needed anything, he would do his best to take care of us. He had the biggest, kindest, and most loving heart. He would give the shirt off his back to protect us all. But also, was strict in our upbringing to ensure that we had the best chance at life! Daddy would run errands, here and there, and would have the uncanny eye to pick something off the ground in a parking lot saying, “I could use this…” He never let anything go to waste. He always re-purposed everything. Daddy was an inventor and an amazing artist; not to mention a loving father and instrumental in our up bringing. Dad was the pillar in teaching life lessons to all his children. Whether it was about being a good steward of the community, becoming a great athlete, a beautiful ballerina, being a husband, wife, father and/or mother. Always teaching us how to overcome adversity, working on engines, taking care of our things, making right decisions, loving on one another, being patient, telling us to drive defensively (a lot) and above all teaching us to love one another! Something he often said throughout the years, “make good decisions, because that decision will come back to you tomorrow, next week or maybe years from now…” When we were young, we had no idea what he meant. As we grew older, his words were gold and truly understood what he was telling us. Visitation is scheduled from 4:00 PM to 5:00PM on Tuesday August 9, 2022 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. Graveside services for William Boyd Plunkett, 78, will be held Wednesday August 10, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Mason Cemetery in Arp, TX with Mark Fulks officiating. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Bob and Helen Plunkett. He is survived by his loving family including his brother, Bob Plunkett, and wife, Judy, of Tyler, TX; son, Jaylon Plunkett and wife, Rachel; grandsons, Johnathan and Jaxon of Cedar Park, TX; daughters, Julie Plunkett of Dallas, TX and Jami Sibert and husband, CJ; grandchildren, Brant, Graci, Lanee and Parker of Dallas, TX; nephew, Joe Plunkett and wife, Reyna, of Tulsa, OK; niece, Brandi Plunkett of College Station, TX; aunt, Joyce King; cousins, Don King and Sue Walker and husband, Buddy Walker. Honorary pallbearers will be Jaylon Plunkett, Joe Plunkett, CJ Sibert, Johnathan Permenter, Jaxon Plunkett. If desired, memorials may be made to the Pointe at Cedar Park, 450 Discovery Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613.

William B. Plunkett

December 29, 1943 - August 4, 2022