William Earl Bachus, Jr.
Services for William (Bill) Earl Bachus, Jr. age 71, will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 3, 2011 at First Christian Church of Temple.
Mr. Bachus died peacefully at home on Friday, December 30, 2011, surrounded by his family.
Bill was born on September 25, 1940 in Temple, Texas to the late William Earl Bachus, Sr. and Mattie Elliott Bachus. He was a lifelong resident of Temple where he graduated from Temple High School in 1958. After high school, he attended Texas A&M and Sam Houston State University where he graduated in 1963 with a degree in Business Administration. He joined the United States Marine Corps in Aviation. He was stationed in Quantico, Virginia but was honorably discharged because of stomach ulcers. Bill then attended and graduated from Baylor Law School in 1970. Bill was a proud Aggie and proud Marine.
Bill worked for Santa Fe Railroad through college and Law School as a Brakeman/Switchman. He also worked as a Conductor, Yardmaster and Crew Foreman.
In May 1964, Bill met Sheron Rose Larson of Clifton, Texas. They married on December 28, 1964. Bill and Sheron had three children. In 1971, Bill went to work for Joe Carroll as his Assistant County Attorney. He worked for Joe until Joe was elected the District Attorney of Bell County; and Bill was elected to the position of County Court Attorney in 1973. In May 1975, Bill was appointed the first Judge of the newly created County Court-at-Law #2 of Bell County. He served in that position until January of 1979 when he was elected to the first Judge of the newly created 264th District Court and he served there until February of 1986.
Bill left public service to practice law with his friend Jack Tarver. Later they were joined by their other friend, Steve Blythe. They practiced law in Temple, Texas until May of 1994. At that time, Bill went back into public service as a visiting Judge for the State of Texas. He served in Houston, San Antonio and Dallas District and in several towns in the surrounding districts.
While practicing law, Bill served as fundraising coordinator for American Cancer Society, 2 terms as County Democratic Chairman, president of the Bell and Lampasas Bar Association. Bill had a 97% approval rating by the Dallas Bar Association which he was extremely proud.
Bill was a member of the First Christian Church of Temple, Texas his entire life. Bill was a believer in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Sheron Larson Bachus; daughter, Susan Bachus Austin and her husband John of Norman, OK; daughter Jennifer Bachus Anders and her husband Todd of Plano, TX; and a son William Jefferson Bachus and his wife Julianna of Plano, TX; his 4 grandchildren, Conor Elizabeth Austin 14, Carter Reed Austin 11, Logan Matthew Anders 4 and Audrey Grace Bachus 1. His sister, Mary Jo Robinson and husband Jim, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
The Bachus family will receive guest for a time of visitation on Monday, January 2, 2011 from 5-7 PM in the Chapel of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Temple. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the First Christian Church of Temple, with Rev. Tommy Popelka officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery.
Condolences may be made by visiting www.crawfordbowerstemple.com
Arrangements under the direction of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, Temple, TX.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
January 23, 2012
Juanita Contreras
Jeff, I didn't know your dad but he seems like he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. The slide show was a wonderful way to honor him. Your entire family is in my prayers.
January 5, 2012
Kay Crossman
Bill, You were the brother I never had growing up. Our summers together with you and Jo were so special to me. You can be proud of the wonderful family you have and we will miss you until we are together again. Your cousin, Kay
January 3, 2012
"I will truly miss talking with Bill. He was such a true-blue friend to me. He'll be sorely missed. Our prayers and sympathy is extended to the family. What a different world this would be with more men like Bill."
Jim Lamb (Weatherford, Texas)
January 3, 2012
Evelyn (King) Dixon
Sheron and Susan may heart goes out to you. I have many fond memories of Mr. Bachus from "playing" as a child in his home. RIP Judge Bachus and Lord wrap your arms around the family.
January 3, 2012
terri cox
"I truly enjoyed working with Judge Bacus when he would fill in for Judge Carroll in Lampasas .He had such a neat humor about himself and was always such a pleasure to work with. Terri Cox District Clerk Lampasas CountyTx
January 3, 2012
Lampasas County Courthouse Friends
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bachus Family during this difficult time. We all greatly enjoyed working with Judge Bachus when he sat as a visiting Judge in Lampasas County. He was certainly unique in his ways and one of kind and will be missed by all of us that had the pleasure and opportunity to know him.
January 3, 2012
To the family of "Bill",I just wanted to express my condolences.I knew "Bill" thru my friend in Temple for many years.He offered me advice that was good.He will be in my memories.God Bless
January 2, 2012
I grew up in Temple and attended the First Christian Church there, my family knew Bill's family for many years and Bill and my younger brother Charlie were friends. We sincerely regret Bill's passing and pray for the family at this time.
Sincerely
Bob Hinkle and Family
January 2, 2012
Christine McCormick
Dear Sheron,
Sending my sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time. May lifelong memories lift your heart during this period of grief. Keeping you in my prayers.
January 2, 2012
Diana Lang
All of your family in Farmington are grieving Billy's passing. We laugh about the Pikes Peak trip frequently. I forgave him from trying to kill my little sister on that road:) Love and support each other during this time, and we will do the same. Billy was obviously a blessed man with an infinite amount of love and respect in his life. Who knows, maybe he can help the Cowboys from Heaven.
January 2, 2012
Thomas Baker
I came to Bell County, Texas, after Judge Bachus already had retired and become a senior judge so we never got to know each other well, but in every case I had before him, he always treated me and my clients with courtesy, respect and dignity. His conduct in office honored the judiciary and the legal profession. May God bless you and your family, and may you rest in peace.
January 2, 2012
Layne Jackson
Judge Bachus was a welcome fixture in the Dallas drug courts, liked and respected by prosecutors, defense attorneys, officers, court staff - you name it. We all have our fond memories - we will feel a loss. Peace be with you all. God bless.
January 2, 2012
Jim & Pat Matthews
Bill, we will miss you. We will always remember all the great visits in Temple and the several trips we made. Will never forget the Pikes Peak adventure. The good times we had on the golf course will always be treasured times for me. Bye for now Bill, and be sure to get us a tee time there in Heaven.
Jim & Pat Matthews
January 2, 2012
Cynthia Bailey
I am so very sorry for your loss, Judge Bachus was a good friend and very funny, I will miss him very much. May God be with you and your family.
Love Cynthia Bailey-Courthouse Dallas
January 2, 2012
Layne Jackson
I am so sorry for the loss to Judge Bachus' family. I assure you the Dallas Criminal courts will also feel a deep loss. I had the pleasure to routinely appear before Judge Bachus in the Dallas drug court. He was widely respected by posecutor and defense attorney alike. It was a joy to work with him; he definitely had a great sense of humor! I miss seeing those cowboy boots propped up on the desk. Peace be with you all. God bless
January 2, 2012
Teresa Smith
Judge you will be deeply missed in drug court (Dallas). I was very honored to be your bailiff.
January 2, 2012
Kim Hunter
Judge, I worked with you many a day in drug court. You will be missed by all.
May the Lord take good care of you- you will be missed by all-
Kim Hunter
January 2, 2012
Michael Muchow
I am so very sorry for your loss.
January 1, 2012
Gayla May
I truly enjoyed working as the court reporter for Judge Bachus in Bell County and Lampasas County when he would fill in for Judge Carroll. He was such a fun man to work with, always spoke so highly of his wife and family. And I am thrilled to know he had made Jesus Christ his personal Lord and Saviour, and to know he is enjoying the blessings of heaven right now. And they are enjoying him!
January 1, 2012
Suzie Samano
I had the privilege of working with Judge Bachus as a court reporter many times at the Dallas County Courthouse. He was always such a gentleman and a pleasure to work with. He was held in high esteem in Dallas County. May you Rest in Peace, Judge. Suzie Samano
January 1, 2012
I was a court reporter in Dallas County for 22 years until I retired this year. I had the pleasure of working with Judge Bachus many times and he was always such a gentleman and very nice. He was held in high esteem in Dallas County, we loved him. RIP Suzie Samano
January 1, 2012
Deandra Grant
We sure will miss you at the Dallas Courthouse. You were one of the good guys.
January 1, 2012
Our love and sympathy to your family. We will forever miss our lifelong friend.
With you in our prayers,
John and Judy Gill
Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results
Funeral services provided by:
Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home - Temple3220 South 31st Street, Temple, TX 76502
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