Obituary for BILL BLAIR
Marion William Blair, also known as Bill, Uncle Marion, Dad or Papaw passed from this earthly life peacefully on January 7, 2022 surrounded by his loving wife and his children. Bill will be remembered as a man that loved life, hard work and making people happy. Ever the center of attention, Bill could keep everyone entertained for hours with his keen wit and humorous stories. We will greatly miss his larger than life personality. No lady whether young or old was safe from being greeted with “hey sweetie-pie” and one of his great big bear hugs.
Marion William Blair was born to Irene and Lyle Blair on October 27, 1933 in Dallas, Texas. Bill spent his early years on the family’s property in north Dallas on Blair Road. His father died in 1941 when Bill was eight years old. He, along with his brother Lyle helped his mother keep the family’s plumbing business running. In his free time Bill enjoyed fishing the local ponds and spending time with his friends at the nearby Presbyterian Orphans home. Bill attended Hillcrest High School in Dallas where he was a class favorite and played on the football team. He began his college career at Texas A&M later transferring to North Texas State University. While in college he helped fund his education by owning and operating a fireworks stand and later enlisting in the United States Army.
Bill served two years in the army. While stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, Bill met Bette Marie Byers and after completing his military service in 1956 Bill and Bette married and moved back to Texas. Bill returned to North Texas State University and earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1957. He and Bette then started their family, first with their son Brek in 1960 followed by their daughter Cherri a year later in 1961. Together they enjoyed taking wonderful vacations with family and friends, hosting great parties at their home in the Sparkman neighborhood of North Dallas or spending time at the beloved Circle 8 family “ranch” in Freestone County.
In 1960 Bill started Blair Sales as a manufacturer’s representative selling general merchandise to grocery stores, hardware stores and department stores throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Bill’s love of people and his hard work ethic enabled him to build a strong and successful business that he operated for 39 years. During this time Bill made numerous friends throughout the industry and gained a reputation as one of the hardest working salesmen in the sector. The office wall was filled with “Rep of the Year” awards and plaques. His business required him to travel extensively, however, he was always sure to send letters and postcards back to his family to let them know they were loved and in his thoughts.
Bill married Annale Yeazel in 1990. Together they continued to work at Blair sales until Bill’s retirement in 1999. Bill and Annale enjoyed traveling the country in their RV for several years after retirement before finally settling down on property adjacent to the Circle 8. Over the years, Bill enjoyed his role as ranch caretaker (pig catcher and raccoon slayer) and loved reminding everyone to keep the doors closed and lights off! Always eager to open the gate and turn on the AC at the ranch before you arrived and usually calling you several times to find out when you would arrive. Of course he didn’t mind calling you after you left to remind you of a light that was left on or a dish that was unwashed… Yes, we will miss those calls too. We will also miss those calls early every year on your birthday with a raucous version of “Happy Birthday to You”. Yes the world will be a little quieter with Bill’s passing, but we who knew him are left so much richer because of the time we were blessed to have with him.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Irene and father, Lyle Sr., his brother Lyle Jr. and sister, Beth. He leaves behind his sister Pat, his wife Annale, son Brek, daughter Cherri and her husband Scott, Stepson Benjamin, Stepdaughter Candy and her husband, Gary. He also leaves numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and numerous nephews/nieces.
PLEASE SEE SERVICE SCEDULE BELOW.
Marion William Blair was born to Irene and Lyle Blair on October 27, 1933 in Dallas, Texas. Bill spent his early years on the family’s property in north Dallas on Blair Road. His father died in 1941 when Bill was eight years old. He, along with his brother Lyle helped his mother keep the family’s plumbing business running. In his free time Bill enjoyed fishing the local ponds and spending time with his friends at the nearby Presbyterian Orphans home. Bill attended Hillcrest High School in Dallas where he was a class favorite and played on the football team. He began his college career at Texas A&M later transferring to North Texas State University. While in college he helped fund his education by owning and operating a fireworks stand and later enlisting in the United States Army.
Bill served two years in the army. While stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, Bill met Bette Marie Byers and after completing his military service in 1956 Bill and Bette married and moved back to Texas. Bill returned to North Texas State University and earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1957. He and Bette then started their family, first with their son Brek in 1960 followed by their daughter Cherri a year later in 1961. Together they enjoyed taking wonderful vacations with family and friends, hosting great parties at their home in the Sparkman neighborhood of North Dallas or spending time at the beloved Circle 8 family “ranch” in Freestone County.
In 1960 Bill started Blair Sales as a manufacturer’s representative selling general merchandise to grocery stores, hardware stores and department stores throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Bill’s love of people and his hard work ethic enabled him to build a strong and successful business that he operated for 39 years. During this time Bill made numerous friends throughout the industry and gained a reputation as one of the hardest working salesmen in the sector. The office wall was filled with “Rep of the Year” awards and plaques. His business required him to travel extensively, however, he was always sure to send letters and postcards back to his family to let them know they were loved and in his thoughts.
Bill married Annale Yeazel in 1990. Together they continued to work at Blair sales until Bill’s retirement in 1999. Bill and Annale enjoyed traveling the country in their RV for several years after retirement before finally settling down on property adjacent to the Circle 8. Over the years, Bill enjoyed his role as ranch caretaker (pig catcher and raccoon slayer) and loved reminding everyone to keep the doors closed and lights off! Always eager to open the gate and turn on the AC at the ranch before you arrived and usually calling you several times to find out when you would arrive. Of course he didn’t mind calling you after you left to remind you of a light that was left on or a dish that was unwashed… Yes, we will miss those calls too. We will also miss those calls early every year on your birthday with a raucous version of “Happy Birthday to You”. Yes the world will be a little quieter with Bill’s passing, but we who knew him are left so much richer because of the time we were blessed to have with him.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Irene and father, Lyle Sr., his brother Lyle Jr. and sister, Beth. He leaves behind his sister Pat, his wife Annale, son Brek, daughter Cherri and her husband Scott, Stepson Benjamin, Stepdaughter Candy and her husband, Gary. He also leaves numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and numerous nephews/nieces.
PLEASE SEE SERVICE SCEDULE BELOW.