Bill Easton

Clarence William “Bill” Easton, 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 10, 2021. Bill was born on November 16, 1932 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to William Harrison and Thelma Easton. In 1942, the family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where his father had taken an engineering professorship position with Oklahoma A&M (now OSU). Soon, young Billy embraced being an Okie and enjoyed Boy Scouts, his paper route and chemistry set. He was intelligent and confident from the day he was born. As a toddler, he was in the grocery store with his mother when she stepped away to get something. A lady passing by asked him if he could say “momma”. He explained to her that he could, but usually didn’t when she wasn’t around. When he was 14 (in 1946), he took a train by himself from Oklahoma to Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico to go hiking for two weeks. In his teen and college years he enjoyed working at Schwim’s Soda Fountain where he met lots of interesting people, about whom he would tell stories to his kids and grandkids for years.

Bill graduated from Oklahoma A&M in 1954 with a degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned into the United States Army. During his time with the army, Bill supervised a tracked vehicle maintenance facility in France during the Korean War. After his service, Bill went to work for the Humble Oil and Refining Company in the little East Texas town of Pickton. As was his practice, he joined the nearby First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs, where he soon met a talented young pianist named Paula with whom he would share the next six decades.  After five years in East Texas, Humble (later Exxon) moved them to the big city of Houston. They soon joined the First Baptist Church of Bellaire, where they met soul-friends who have lasted a lifetime. Bill’s career at Exxon spanned over forty years and included roles in reservoir engineering, supply chain management, and extensive assignments in corporate strategic planning.

Bill was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was gentle, but protective, always cheerful, a good listener and a joy to be around. More than anything else, he taught his children that you can be good, and kind, and humble and still be all man. Bill made it his goal to go to every single event in the lives of his children and grandchildren - Boy Scouts, football, band, choir, orchestra, track, cross country, graduations, ceremonies, banquets - rain or shine. He was everyone’s cheerleader and successfully helped guide his three sons to their Eagle Scout Award. Throughout their 62 years of marriage, Bill and Paula were always at the church when the doors were open - Paula on the piano and Bill serving as a deacon and soundman, among other things. Bill’s favorite things were spending time with his family, going on road trips, reading and Blue Bell ice cream.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William Harrison and Thelma Patch Easton, sister Marlys Forrester and brother Jim Easton. Bill was also preceded in death by his youngest son, Colonel Darren A. Easton, USAF. We can only imagine the reunion they are having in heaven right now! Bill is survived by his wife, Paula Leftwich Easton, son Eric Easton and wife Julie, son Andy Easton and wife Kymberly, daughter Elise Caddenhead and husband Kevin, daughter-in-law Joanna Easton (Darren) and brother Bob Easton and wife Daphne. The joys of his life were his 15 grandchildren - Victoria Easton Clark and husband Jacob, Alex Easton, Will Easton, Lauren Easton, Adam Easton, Emily Easton Valdez and husband Ramiro, Cassidy Caddenhead Wilfong and husband Kevin, Cole Caddenhead, Luke Caddenhead, Kyra Easton, Cami Easton and Kyle Easton.

A Celebration of Life will be held graveside at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham, TX. Pallbearers are Bill’s grandsons, Adam Easton, Cole Caddenhead, Will Easton, Luke Caddenhead, Kyle Easton, Jacob Clark, Kevin Wilfong and Ramiro Valdez.

In our grief, we thank the Lord for his promises. Psalm 30:5, “Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Brookwood Community (Bill’s granddaughter Alex is part of the Brookwood Woodlands location), or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation .