Roll Call Tribute

Text version of obituary published in the Zavala County Sentinel

Mr. Bill (William A.) Carruthers

 
 
   One of the best loved teachers of the 50’s and 60’s at Crystal City High School passed away July 14, 2013. He was born March 15, 1919 to Em and Bessie Carruthers in Del Rio, Texas. His mother, adopted sister Dixie and he moved to Carrizo Springs, Texas in 1926 where he attended elementary school. They moved to Crystal City in 1934 where he attended High School and graduated in 1938. He was one of Cy Tate’s fighting Javelinas.  At this time he learned to love sports, especially football, and became an avid fan.  Mr. Bill, as he was affectionately called through all his years, began officiating football through his middle age.

 
   Soon after graduation, Bill began working for the US Army Air Corps. In December of that same year, he and Emalee McNiel were wed.  In 1943 he became a member of the Masonic Lodge and was Worshipful Master three times throughout his life.  On December 2, 1945 the Carruthers had their first child, William Robert. On February 4, 1946 he was honorably discharged from the service.

 
   Soon after leaving the Military he recognized his need of additional education. He attended Southwest Texas Junior College and later graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in January 1951.  After graduation, the family moved back to Crystal City from College Station and Bill began working for the Crystal City School District.  The Carruthers were blessed with the second child, Cheryl Ann, on August 30, 1951.

Bill was the Vocational Ag Teacher at Crystal City High School from 1951 to 1971.  He was the FFA leader and took part in the Zavala Livestock Committee.  He worked hand in hand with his boys to buy, feed and sell their animals for a profit. He worked the Zavala County Livestock Show for 50 years.

 
   While working at Crystal City High School, he was the Junior Class sponsor and well known for his efforts working to prepare elaborate sets and stages for the Junior Senior Prom. Throughout his life he was always greeted with hugs and well wishes as a result of all those years working with and for the students of Crystal City High School.

 
   In 1971 he transferred to Uvalde Independent School District as Vocational Coordinator in the Chapter V Special Education Program.  He traveled to have a dozen schools surrounding Uvalde assisting the handicapped in finding employment.  He always loved and enjoyed all those that he worked with. In 1981 he transferred to Carrizo Springs School System to be the Principal of the shelter workshop. He spent all his working days assisting, teaching and guiding youth. He retired from the Carrizo Springs School System in 1986.

 
   After retirement, Bill worked as the head of maintenance at Crystal City First Baptist Church and in 1997 he was ordained as a Deacon. Even after retirement he remained very active in community service working to provide food to the needy.

 
   After the publication of “Now and Then in Zavala County” he saw the need for a cemetery director of Zavala County so he promoted the book “Cemeteries and Family Plots of Zavala County, Texas – 1877 to 1992.”  His part in the book was Edgewood Cemetery where he walked many miles mapping each site.

 
   Bill worked many years with the Crystal City Spinach Festival lining up each float, band and dignitary in the right order.  In 2000 he was especially honored to be the Grand Marshall.

 
   Bill was preceded in death by his wife Emalee.  Bill is survived by his son William Robert Carruthers and Cheryl Ratcliff.  He was blessed with five wonderful grandsons:  Bill Carruthers, Tim Carruthers, Scott Ratcliff, Chris Ratcliff and Niel Ratcliff.  His real pride and joy were his six great grandchildren:  Raziel Ratcliff, Malchiah Ratcliff, Hallie Ratcliff, Emmie Ratcliff, Ethan Ratcliff and Katelyn Ratcliff. Even in his 90’s it was not unusual to find “PawPaw” rolling around on the floor with one of these cherished little ones.

      Viewing was held Friday, July 19, 2013 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Funeral Caring USA, 6500 IH 35 North, San Antonio, TX 78218. Graveside service will be conducted by Rev. Dino Espinoza at 2:30 PM at Uvalde Cemetery.