William (Bill) Walsh

San Antonio, TX

Address information may be obtained by emailing your request to the webmaster

Summer:  2008        Location: Pampa, Texas

Three ladies are having coffee gathered around a laptop. They are getting together “to cram” for their PHS 50^th class reunion. They have annuals from ‘56, ‘57 and ‘58, but are focusing on the fantastic web site that Mike Conway has compiled. They have laughed and cried as they remember highlights over the last 50 years. 

Now they are going through the biographies one at a time to get an update on those who have written their “history” of the years past graduation, the obits and wondering about friends who aren’t in either category. As they come to the end of the class, one classmate sees Bill Walsh’s name and wonders why he is listed since he didn’t graduate from PHS. All three ladies remember Bill but at different times in his life. The following discussion evolves:

Friend #1: I remember Bill moving to Pampa in the 5^th grade; starting school at Sam Houston Elementary. His dad worked for Cabot and his mom was a school nurse (who died of cancer in 1966). He had a sister, Patty, who was four and a half years younger. Bill left Pampa after his soph year when his dad was transferred to Baytown. He spent his freshman year at Abilene Christian College, transferred to the University of Texas (Austin) and went on to graduate from the University of Texas Dental Branch in ‘65. I heard he went into the USAF for 5 years and I lost contact after that time. I do remember Bill telling me how much he loved Pampa and always called Pampa home. He said he was also extremely honored to have had elected positions by his peers during those “Happy Days” years. I always found him to be friendly - a nice guy.

Friend #2: Well, you must have known a different guy than I did! I remember Bill after he got out of the AF and came back to Pampa to be with his dad and practice dentistry here. He was single, and the transition from the military to civilian life seemed difficult for him. The AF life was like every night was Saturday night and his being stationed in Okinawa right near Viet Nam enhanced the philosophy of “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you might die”. Bill carried this life style to this time in his life. Bill only stayed about 5 years in Pampa. During this time his dad died of cancer; which, he told a friend of mine, was the loss of his best friend. Bill also confided in this friend that he made some major mistakes which he deeply regretted. When a group of his classmates from dental school invited him to join them in a complex in San Antonio, he left, and I said,”good  riddance”.

Friend #3: Wow, I didn’t realize Bill had been a ‘Prodigal Son”. I have only known him in San Antonio and can’t wait to give you all an update on the last 33 years. Shortly after moving, Bill married Dana who had two little girls, Stacey and Kristi. On July 8, 1977, he told me he had asked Jesus into his life and the Prodigal came home! Bill’s theme song is “Amazing Grace” which sums up his present life: I once was lost, but now I’m found.

Life is full of tests as we three know: Bill’s latest test was being diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2006. He had surgery and 6 months of chemo, and he is cancer free! He told me he would never retire, but a cancer diagnosis changes things and Bill retired in February 2008.

As we approach this milestone called a 50 year reunion, the Bill I know would challenge each member of the class of ‘58 and their families to evaluate our spiritual lives and make sure we will spend eternity together! The last time I talked with Bill, he wasn’t sure he could make the reunion, but would love to communicate with anyone who would e-mail him at bwdw@satx.rr.com.