William Leon Harwell, Sr., 88, of Pampa and formerly of Whitesboro, passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022 in Pampa.
William was born August 27, 1934 in Waldron, Arkansas to James and Madlein Harwell. He attended schools in Waldron. After high school he enlisted in the US Army and served two tours in Vietnam, a tour in Berlin, and a tour in Korea. William retired from the Army after 21 years of service. When he returned from Vietnam, he was an instructor for the ROTC program at Texas A&M. He married Betty Schoonover in 1957 and she passed away in 1985. William later married Sandra Richards in 1991 and she passed away in 2015. He worked in the oilfield for several years for various companies before going to work for the Whitesboro Police Department as a dispatcher. While he was in Whitesboro, he also was the owner with his wife, Sandra, of Outback Quilting. He enjoyed working with her making quilts. In his younger years, he coached his son’s little league baseball teams, and he played softball in the adult league. William was an avid baseball and football fan and enjoyed bowling, playing Bingo, and watching old westerns. He loved his family and will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Cecil Harwell; sister, Mary Mays; and a son, Leon Harwell.
Survivors include his four daughters, Debra Pillow of Bryan, Retha Baggs of Rock Island, IL, Corey Hernandez of Pampa, and Zearlene Reeves and husband Eric of Rockwall; three sons, Gary L. Harwell of Eugene, OR; Larry E. Baggs and wife Susie of Duncanville, and John L. Richards of Abilene; a sister, Ann Bingham of Waldron, AR; a brother, Billy Ray Harwell of Waldron, AR; 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services honoring William will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Meador Funeral Home of Whitesboro. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 Pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at Meador Funeral Home.
Mr. Bill, rest peacefully sir. You were a good man – Acts 24:15
William was my trainer when I first started dispatching at Whitesboro Police Department. He was a very patient man and he was good at his job. I never understood how he did everything he did, He was always so calm and caring. I wish I was half the dispatcher he was. I think of him often. My condolences to to his family.