William (Bill) Richard Roane, Sr

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William (Bill) Richard Roane, Sr. passed away on Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, at the Freestone Medical Center in Fairfield. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague. Bro. Josh Gafford and Billy Patterson officiated. Interment followed the services at Dew Cemetery. Visitation was held prior to the service on Thursday, with the family present from 12-2 p.m. at the funeral home. Roane was born on Harrington Street, in Houston on Oct. 17, 1922 to William Roane and Edna Barrow. He was the only boy in a family of three girls. He graduated from Davis High School in 1940 and had several jobs before enlisting in the United States Navy on Oct. 21, 1942 during WWII. His rank was a Second Class Machinist Mate and he was a flight engineer, gunner, and search and rescue. He was stationed in Okinawa and Saipan and was in the historic Invasion of Okinawa. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy Nov. 7, 1945 and also received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. Roane retired from Tennessee Gas Transmission Company after 25 years of service where he flew company employees all over the United States and Europe. He and his wife, Clara had lived in Houston where they raised their boys, William and Bruce. They moved to Teague in 1982. Bill and Clara were both involved in the B-RI Railroad Museum and Senior Citizens Center and delivered Meals on Wheels. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before she passed away in 2004. Roane also served on the South Freestone Water Board for over 30 years. He married Lillie Teer on Oct. 15, 2005. He loved being outdoors and loved his dog, Gracie. He is survived by his wife, Lillie Teer Roane of Teague; two sons, William R. Roane, Jr. and wife Patricia of Dallas; Gerald Bruce Roane and wife Nancy Harris of Teague; two step-daughters, Medra Patterson and husband Billy of Fairfield, Kristin Henry and husband Ronnie of Deer Park; nine grandchildren, Lacey Roane Cullens, Amy Parker, Katie Alford & husband Kendall, Karen Savage, Emily Plemons, Brandi Tristan and husband Bryan, Haley Wilson and husband Kevin, Ashlyn LaCasse and husband John, Kyle Henry; several great-grandchildren; and one brother-in-law, V.J. Mullen of Houston. Roane was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Roane; parents, William and Edna Roane; and three sisters, Mary, Loraine and Yvonne. Visit website bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or to leave a message for the family.

The Teague Chronicle

319 Main Street • P.O. Box 631
Teague, Texas 75860
Office: (254) 739-2141
Fax: (254) 739-2144