William M. Starnes

W.M. (Bill) Starnes (1923 - 2011)

W. M. (Bill) Starnes passed away peacefully in the presence of family and staff at Vista Care Hospice and Carillon House in Lubbock, Texas on May 22.
Bill was born October 22, 1923 and raised near Graham, Texas. He served as an infantryman in the United States Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II 1943 - 1945. He saw service in New Zealand, New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle during the campaign to liberate Luzon in 1945. Upon discharge at the conclusion of hostilities Mr. Starnes returned to Texas where he worked throughout West Texas for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company from 1946 - 1953. In 1954 he moved with his family to Snyder where he continued to work for Southwestern Bell until his retirement in 1982.
Bill married the love of his life, Rosa Cross of Stanton, Texas, on September 20, 1946. Together they raised three children - Evelyn, Royce and Neal - founded on an unwavering commitment to God, family and community. Bill was a faithful supporter of Trinity Methodist and First United Methodist Churches. He was a member of the Snyder Lion"s Club and helped with many civic activities including summer youth baseball programs, SHS Band Parents Club, SHS Theater Department and SHS Athletics. He contributed to local and area charities and was a regular at morning and afternoon "coffee shop" gatherings at The Ritz in Snyder. Throughout his life Bill took special delight in his relationships with his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren as well as his many friends and neighbors.
Bill is survived by his wife of sixty four years, Rosa, of Snyder and his three children - Evelyn McPherson and Neal Starnes and wife Janet of Lubbock, Texas and Royce Starnes and wife Kathy of Georgetown, Texas. He is also survived by five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. They are Mike McPherson and wife Ashley and sons Britton and Guias , Jennifer Starnes and daughter Baylee of Lubbock, Bo Starnes and wife Amy and daughter Tatum and son Mikey of San Antonio, Texas, Rachel Jackson and husband Ross and son Otto of Fallon, Nevada and Doug Starnes of Indianapolis, Indiana. He is also survived by two brothers, M.O. Starnes and Dan Starnes, of Odessa, Texas.
A visitation will be held a Bell - Cypert-Seale Funeral Home at 6:00 PM on Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM on Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Snyder followed by a graveside service at Hillside Memorial Gardens.