William "Bill" Tennison, 76, of Orange, Texas died Saturday, September 4, 2010, at his residence.
Funeral services will be 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at the Orangefield High School Gymnasium. Officiating will be Reverend David Milner, Reverend Bobby Spross, and speaker Robert Thomas. Burial will follow at Autumn Oaks in Orange, Texas.
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., Monday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Born in Anton, Texas on March 13, 1934, Bill was the son of Lillie Mae Keen and Willie Hobson Tennison. He has been a member of the Gideons International since 1972. Bill was a deacon and member of Calvary Baptist Church, and a former chairman of the local Republican Party. He spent 24 of his 40 teaching and coaching years at Orangefield High School. During this time he was responsible for organizing the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Little Dribblers program.
He is survived by his wife of 55 Years, Darlene B. Tennison; son and daughter-in-law, John and Gaye Tennison of North Carolina; daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Cecil "Sparky" Sparks of Orange; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Melissa Tennison of Spring; daughter, Michelle Tennison of Alexandria, Virginia; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Tiffany Tennison of Euless; and 12 grandchildren, John David, Mark Andrew, Paul Joseph Tennison, Kristen, Brandon, and Casey Sparks, Mitchell, Cassie, Abby, Will, and Micah Tennison, and Sevyn Tennison.
Serving as Pallbearers will be John Tennison, Jerry Tennison, Jim Tennison, Brandon Sparks, Mitchell Tennison, Casey Sparks, Cecil "Sparky" Sparks, and Robert Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214.