Bill Slack, age 87, of Coleman, died Saturday, December 24, 2016, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene.  Cremation was selected and a memorial service will be held at a later date in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel.  Cremation arrangements were made by Stevens Funeral Home, Coleman, Texas.

He was born Billie James Slack on July 26, 1929, in Burkett, Coleman County, Texas, the only child of Johnnie C. Slack and Eva Mae Parsons Slack.  He grew up in the Burkett area and graduated from Burkett High School in 1946.  On January 22, 1949 he married Joy Elizabeth Jarrell in Coleman.  Following their marriage, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country for four years, receiving an Honorable Discharge.

After his military service, Bill attended TCU for two years before transferring to the University of Texas where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering.  In 1960 he went to work for Pan American in Odessa, then worked for a number of years for A. W. Thompson before going to work for MGF Corporation as Manager of Drilling.  He retired in 1994 and moved to Coleman that same year.  He was a member of the American Petroleum Institute and the First United Methodist Church in Coleman.

Bill loved his wife and daughter and his dog, Lucky.  He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Texas football.  His favorite food was a banana split.  He was a voracious reader and a strong-willed but hard working man.  He enjoyed traveling and he and Joy traveled extensively when they were younger.

Survivors include his wife, Joy Slack of Coleman; one daughter, Cindy Slack of Odessa; several cousins, nieces and nephews and his dog, Lucky.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Please offer condolences to the family at www.livingmemorials.com.