WILLIAM (Bill) WATTERSON ASHBY, JR., affectionately known as Willie & Pa, passed away July 2, 2009. Bill was born on the north side of Houston on October 3, 1920 to William Sr. and Carrie Crockett Ashby. He was a descendent of Davy Crockett. He attended Jeff Davis High & the Uof H. Bill was proud of his military service during WWII which began in Dawson Creek, Alaska working on the Alaskan Highway. He entered the European Theater, achieving the rank of S/Sgt. in Patton's 3rd Army, and was directly involved in the liberation of Buchenwald Prison Camp. He was the recipient of several medals for his service. He had the incredible opportunity of having a camera during the war to document his time in Europe. He was honored by the Houston Holocaust Museum with a lifetime membership for his contributions to them. He began his career working in his father's furniture store & then became a lithographer by trade. He was a member of the Houston Area Lithographer Fellows & the Houston Litho Club. He was also a member of First United Methodist Church in Pearland, serving as an usher. Bill loved being outdoors, whether it was playing golf, fishing, or tending his flower beds. He spent his leisure time attending the activities of his granddaughters and great granddaughters. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Evelyn. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Anna M. (Amy) Ashby, sons William O. (Bill) & wife Jamie, Donald E, and daughter Amy Ashby-Pike. He also leaves three granddaughters, Carrie Ashby, Stephanie Pape & husband Brandon, and Cheyenne Pike, & two great granddaughters, Taylor & Haley Pape, all of whom thought there was no one quite like "Pa". He will be greatly missed by these and numerous other friends and relatives. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 7th from 5 PM 9 PM and funeral services will be Wednesday, July 8th at 10:00 AM with interment to immediately follow, all at Forest Park Lawndale.

Houston Chronicle - July 5, 2009