Bill Bob French

ARLINGTON -- Bill Bob French, 85, passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2016, in Arlington. Funeral: 2 p.m. Thursday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Interment: At a later date, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with honors. Bill was born in Independence, Mo., on Sept. 23, 1930. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1952 with a degree in agricultural engineering. Bill joined the Air Force following graduation from college. It was while stationed at Offut Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb., he met his wife, Betty, who was also in the Air Force. After their discharge from the military, they married on Dec. 22, 1956, in Boonville, Mo. This year would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. Bill worked in the manufactured housing industry as a plant manager/president for 18 years. The family moved numerous times all over the U.S. during that time, finally settling in Arlington in 1971. After Bill "retired," he continued to work for the family business, Avanti Pizza, for 10 years from 1980-1990. The pizza business grew to four stores during that time. The most precious thing to Bill in his life was his family. He was always there for everyone when needed, and always had a solution or idea to fix any problem. Bill was a very intelligent man. He loved cars and built one from the ground up. He was the "go to" guy for homework and school projects. Bill was a wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather. Bill loved his children and grandchildren and was so very proud of all of them. Survivors: He is survived by his wife, Betty French; his children, Ray French and wife, Julie, Annie Glasgow, Kathleen Fearka and husband, Rusty; grandchildren, Colby, Brandon, Jeff, Madison, Alexandra, Connor, Brooke, Troy and Grace. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233