William "Bill" Wayne Rawls

William (Bill) Wayne Rawls was a man who loved Jesus and he loved people. He left his earthly home to be with Jesus on Sunday, January 29 at the ripe old age of 90. He lived a wonderful, joy filled life that centered on God first and then his loving family.

Bill was born in Christoval at the Rawls Bathhouse on November 8, 1932 to his proud parents Dr. Frank and Orah Rawls. He grew up playing on the South Concho River and harassing his two big sisters, Bobbie and Ginger, and his niece, Jackie Moore, and nephew Norman Jenkins. Although he adored his niece, Jeri, she was too young to experience his shenanigans. When he was in first grade, he saw a pretty little girl named Ann Kirby walking down the street. He told his mom that he was going to marry her someday….and he did!

He played six-man football at Christoval High School and the rest of the time he spent hunting, fishing and taking Ann on dates in his hotrod. In 1953, he and Ann got married and shortly after he joined the Navy Reserve. He traveled extensively in Cuba and South America. Returning home, he began working in the oilfield and welcomed their daughter, Cynthia, into the world.

While working for Sinclair, in Sweetwater, Texas, his sweet daughter, Nora, was born. Eventually, he and his family moved to Eldorado and finally to Fort Stockton, Texas, to work in the sulfur mining industry with Atlantic Richfield. Billie, his last baby girl, was born shortly after moving there. He became the superintendent of the mining operation and remained in that position until the mine closure. He then became a consultant for Addwest Mining and moved around the southwest, opening various types of mines. During his time in Fort Stockton, he was a proud member of the Fort Stockton United Methodist Church where he supported the MYF groups with multiple meals and served on various boards and committees,. He also served on the Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce, he volunteered with 4-H, judged menudo contests and enjoyed life with his numerous friends and family members.

After Ann’s untimely death, he met a fellow church member, Anna Mayo. After several years of dating, she became his wife. She moved around the southwest with him, as they enjoyed life together. Upon his retirement, they settle back in his beloved Christoval with a lovely house built under the giant live oaks. His family worried about his retirement, due to his active lifestyle. But he built his barn and greenhouse and never slowed down. He joined the Christoval Volunteer Fire Department, took over care of the Christoval Cemetery, loved helping the monks at Mount Carmel, and took special pride in maintaining the Methodist Church. Everyone in town was blessed with his many woodworking projects that he gifted. He took great pride in his lifelong membership at the Christoval Masonic Lodge, where he was a Master Mason, He also received the Community Builder Award from the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas.

His love of helping others did not go unnoticed, as he took many people under his wing and worked to improve their lives. Always of utmost importance to Bill, was serving his employees and community with a Christ centered love and heart of service. He has touched many lives and was a saint walking among us,

He is survived by his wife, Anna Rawls, his three loving daughters, Cindy Lemley, Nora Rawls and Billie and Larry Hill. He has nine grandchildren who love and adore him and thirteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by his step children Bobby Mayo, Eric Mayo, and Margaret Mayo. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Jerry Kirby, sister-in-law, Shirley Kirby, and numerous nieces and nephews that he dearly loved.

The family would like to thank Barbara Madrid for all of the care and companionship that she gave to our father. We would also like to thank Dr. Jack and Carolyn Campbell for their assistance and love for our dad. Finally, we want to thank Hospice of San Angelo for their love, care, and compassion during this difficult time.

The visitation will be Friday, February 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Christoval Methodist Church. The funeral will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 4th, The family asks memorial donations to be made to the Christoval Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 193, Christoval, TX 76935.

“The master replied, Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:23