William Henry Roach

William H. “Bill” Roach, 81, died Monday, March 16, 2015 in Abilene, Texas. Bill was born in the small community of Telephone, Texas, on June 29, 1933 to “Buck” and Dora Faye Roach. When he was eight years old, his mother married Clarence Dozier, giving him three stepbrothers and a stepsister. For four short years, he enjoyed playing, competing and living with his brothers and sister, until his mother and stepfather were killed in a tragic house fire in Kansas. At that time, he went to Bonham, Texas, to live with grandparents. Always being adventurous and curious, he only stayed with his grandparents two years before he struck out on his own. He was a hardworking “jack of all trades” young man and worked at many different jobs in many different states ranging from a tomato processing plant to laying a pipeline. In 1952, he joined the Air Force, serving in Korea and two years at Itazuki Air Base, Japan. When he returned to the states, he was stationed at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, where he met his wife-to-be, Shirley Mize. Bill and Shirley were married in Abilene at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church on November 22, 1956. After a short stay in Odessa where Bill was working as a salesman for Singer Sewing Machine Co. (incidentally awarded “Salesman of the Month” for two months in a row) they moved to Abilene. He worked in service stations, cemented and tested oil wells, and worked in auto parts stores until he finally decided to do what he was best at, being a mechanic. He owned and operated B&L Automotive, along with his partner Larry Yacano, from 1982 until a stroke forced him to retire in February 2011. Bill and Larry were active with the Ben Richey Boys Ranch, even teaching a basic auto repair class to the boys and working many hours each year with their annual chili cook-off. Bill inherited the “World’s Largest Chili Pot” when the originator decided to give it up. Many volunteers, including boys from the ranch, were recruited to help make and serve the chili (“thanks” to each one). Bill was a member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene. His parents and his stepfather preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Roach of Abilene; two daughters, Sherry Matthews and husband David of Abilene, and Melinda Corbell and husband Casey of Odessa; one stepsister, Irene Cox of Wichita, Kansas; three grandchildren, Jennifer Campbell (James) of Abilene, Jeremy Corbell of Odessa, and Brian Corbell of Odessa; and four great-grandchildren, Arrielle Brooks, Aerilyn Campbell, Skye Corbell and Dallas Corbell. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Reid officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Memorials may be made to Ben Ritchey Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 6839, Abilene TX 79608; Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Arise and Build Fund, 701 So. Pioneer Drive, Abilene, TX 79605; or the donor’s charity of choice.