William Franklin Bush, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 11, 2022 in Tyler, Texas. A small graveside service will be held at New Hope Cemetery Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Mark Neeley officiating. Bill was born September 20, 1933 near Proctor, Texas to Wilford Clarence Bush and Oneeta Clarkson Bush. Bill and his wife of 67 years, Shirley Joan Bush were married in Lubbock, Texas on April 22, 1955. Bill was the first in his family to attend college earning a bachelor of science degree in Petroleum Geology. He put his education to use working for Cities Service Oil Company mainly in the field of seismology to determine viable drilling locations by using explosives to measure the time for vibrations to reach different strata and echo back to the surface. After several years of constantly relocating, Bill and Shirley decided it was time to put down roots once their family had grown to three boys. In 1966, they bought a ranch and moved to Quitman, Texas where they started their own herd of cattle from raising small calves to maturity. Eventually this herd grew to over 40 head of cattle. Bill’s daytime job was working at Lone Star Steel in Dangerfield, Texas. In 1970, they sold the ranch in Quitman and moved to Mineola where they came to call home. Bill continued his ranching hobby teaching his sons the value of hard work like building fences, hauling hay, and cutting firewood. Bill started his own business in 1979 by opening a small printing and office supply company. He continued in this line of work for the next 20 years until his retirement in 1998.
Bill and Shirley faithfully attended Mineola First Baptist Church where Bill and Shirley taught junior high Sunday School for several years and Bill served as deacon. Living an outward Christian life was important to Bill and Shirley and they taught their family the importance of believing in a higher power and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Bill Bush was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife Shirley of Tyler, Texas, sons Randy Bush and wife Beth of New Braunfels, Texas, Russell Bush and wife Robin of Tyler, Texas, Wesley Bush and wife Kimberly of DeRidder, Louisiana, brother Delbert Bush and wife Emily of Breckenridge, Colorado; 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Mineola First Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.