William Bridges Sr.

Bill Bridges

William Bernell Bridges entered life October 3, 1931 at Carlsbad, NM and went to be with our Lord Jesus November 2, 2021 at the age of 90. A Celebration of his Life will be held on Monday, November 8 at the Loop First Baptist Church at 1pm MST, 2pm CST. Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects that morning at Griffin Funeral Home from 9am-11am. Interment will follow the services at the Loop Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.griffinfuneralhomehobbs.com.

As the only child born to Willie Mae Looney “Billie” and Bernie B. Bridges, and the grandson of a road contractor, he was the only child among a road crew made up entirely of relatives. He was literally raised “on the road” from one end of Texas and New Mexico to the other.  As a young boy his grandad imparted the love of fishing to him, which continued to grow throughout the years.

After graduating high school from McCamey, TX, in 1950, he continued his education at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX.

July 4th, 1950 he escorted Jocie Irene Liles “Jo” to the Neville’s Ranch BBQ on their first date. They later married in Lovington, NM, June 20, 1952. Bill dedicated the next 30 years of his life to providing for his family in the service of Dowell Chemical, after which time he accepted an early retirement. After retiring from Dowell at the age of 52, he and his younger son, George, designed and constructed van and pickup conversions, which were used by Dowell as on-site electronic work-stations.

After retirement, Bill and Jo traveled to the Texas Gulf Coast, each fall to camp, gig, fish, play, and make new friends.  They also fished the Sea of Cortez at Baja Kino, as-well-as caravanning to Alaska twice with 4 other couples. In Alaska they spent the summer catching and canning salmon, and enjoying the beautiful sights.

Some of his favorite pastime passions were: gardening, boating, fishing, woodworking, travelling, camping, raising chickens, spending time with family and friends, and recounting lifetime memories.

First and foremost, Bill loved the Lord. He often used his time and skills to help in the building and maintenance of various churches in the community he and his family attended over the years.

He is survived by Jo, his wife of 69 years; daughter and son-in-law - Kathleen and Terry W. Taylor; grandsons, - Chad Taylor; William B. Bridges III, and wife Samantha; Cody Bridges, and wife Kristen; grand-daughters – Dr. Tiffany D. Taylor, Sara Kate Bridges-Balcom, RN, and husband Josh Balcom, Gabrielle Bridges; daughters-in-law; Kathy Hasten-Bridges and Mary Lynn Sherfick-Bridges; 17 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great granddaughter (on the way); as-well-as a host of family and friends all of whom he held very close to his heart.

Preceded in death by his parents  -  Billie and Albert White; Bernie and Orilla Bridges; brother – Donald Clarence Bridges; sisters – Eilene and Louise; his sons, William B. Bridges, Jr. and George Albert Bridges; and grand-daughter, Jessica Jane Bridges.