Roll Call Tribute

William Russell “Bill” Ledbetter, Jr.
April 05, 1943 - July 24, 2021

William Russell “Bill” Ledbetter Jr, loving husband, father and grandfather, formerly of Cypress, Texas, passed away on July 24, 2021. He was 78, and preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl Owen Ledbetter. She also passed away on July 24th in 2016, which was their 51st wedding anniversary. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Frances Ledbetter.

Bill is survived by his children: Rusty Ledbetter and wife Lori, and Kathy Ledbetter Story '03 and husband Brad; his six grandchildren that called him “Poppy”: Ashlie Ryman, Amy Ledbetter, Shelby McGlaun, Alissa Ledbetter, Travis McGlaun and Trey McGlaun; and his two great-granddaughters: Laynee Reising and Baylie Chapman. He is also survived by his younger sisters: Joan Baumgardner and husband Wes, and Janis Rogers, all of San Antonio, as well as his "double cousins" in Waco.

Bill was born in El Paso, Texas while his father was stationed at Fort Bliss. As dependents of a career U.S. Army Officer, the family moved often. Bill called Waco, Texas his hometown where both sets of grandparents lived and raised his parents on McKenzie Avenue. Over the years he attended schools in California, Michigan, Virginia, Japan, and two years of high school at The Community School in Tehran, Iran, just to name a few. He graduated high school from the University Military School in Mobile, Alabama in 1961.

As a proud Class of 1965 member of the Corps of Cadets’ Company F-1 “Finest First” at Texas A&M University, Bill graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a new bride. At the University of Houston, he earned two degrees: Master of Science in Computer Science (1979) and Executive Master of Business Administration (1987).

Bill and Cheryl were married July 24, 1965 in Denton, Texas. Following his graduation in 1966, Bill entered active duty in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a second lieutenant. After training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he was assigned to the Berlin Brigade in Germany in 1967. This was an exciting location for the newlyweds to be stationed. Bill received orders to report to Vietnam in 1968, where he became D-Company Commander of the 864th Engineering Battalion, and he returned home as Captain in 1969.

Bill began his 37-year career with Tennessee Gas Pipeline/Tenneco/El Paso Corporation in Houston, Texas in 1970. He started out as a computer programmer/software developer and later moved into mechanical and civil engineering. His work ethic was unparalleled, but it was his wit, quiet leadership, and demeanor that endeared him to international and domestic clients, colleagues, and his team. During his career, he led natural gas pipeline projects in the Gulf of Mexico, Southern Louisiana, Northeastern United States, Taiwan, and China. He retired from El Paso Corporation in 2007. Bill and Cheryl enjoyed many activities over the years with the Tenneco Retiree Club.

Traveling with Cheryl, spending time with family, playing the guitar, listening to and singing Elvis Presley music, having a good laugh, and eating a good meal at Pappasito’s were some of his favorite things. Until Cheryl’s passing in 2016, Bill and his wife were active members of Windwood Presbyterian Church.

True to his humble nature, Bill did not want a funeral. His ashes will be buried with Cheryl’s ashes at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, contributions can be made to the William R. Ledbetter Jr. ’65 Corps of Cadets Scholarship Fund at Texas A&M University. This scholarship was created to honor the long legacy of the Ledbetter Family at A&M. Bill’s maternal grandfather, father, uncle, daughter, and niece all graduated from Texas A&M. The scholarship will be awarded each year to a member of Company F-1, which was Bill’s outfit, or a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. Bill’s father and uncle were Head Drum Majors for the Classes of 1940 and 1941. Donations can be made online at https://www.txamfoundation.com/ or mailed to: Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840. Please note that it is for the William R. Ledbetter Jr. ’65 Scholarship Fund with your donation.

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