Bill Vest

Willie Fred “Bill” Vest, 84, of Tomball, Texas, passed away on November 22, 2018, in Tomball.

He was born August 1, 1934, in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Willie Fields and Mary Alberta (Blackwell) Vest. Willie graduated with a bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University. Willie was united in marriage with Ruby Vest on January 22, 1955, at North Texas First Baptist Church. Willie’s love of aircraft inspired him to get his pilot’s license. He also enjoyed collecting guns, knives and pens.

Willie knew the Lord had called him to serve his community. He attended Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary which gave him the opportunity to serve as a youth director at Crestview Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas. Willie was a member of First Baptist in Dallas, Carrolton, and Centerville. He attended the Tomball United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Shriners, and was a 32 ^nd Degree Mason affiliated with lodges in Buffalo, Centerville, and Tomball. He submitted the recordings for the Centerville County meetings to the newspaper and served as an emergency manager in Leon County. Willie also served as an elected city councilman in Carrolton, Texas.

Willie is survived by his wife: Ruby Vest of Tomball; daughter: Carrie Gracey (Craig) of Tomball; sons: Russell Norton Vest (Renee) of Austin and Scott David Vest (Daisy) of Cypress; sister: Katheryn McCue of Boston, MA; and grandchildren: Victoria Leigh Gracey, Alana Darrow Vest, Jenna Gracey Edge, Austin Norton Vest, and Jordan DeLee Gracey.

He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Valerie DeLee Vest, and stepbrother, Stanley Kennedy.