Billy Bryan Savell

Billy Bryan (Bill) Savell, 92, was a Christ follower, a loving and loyal husband, and a compassionate Daddy and Pawpaw. He loved his Lord, his church, his family, his ranch, going to Colorado, country music, hymns, the Sonora Broncos, the Baylor Bears, and the Houston Astros. In a good discussion or heated debate, you usually didn’t have to wait too long to get his opinion, solicited or not. Bill was born January 15, 1934 to Miers and Bernice Savell and was a ranch kid from the start, attended school in Sonora, and then went to Baylor, where he was a member of the Air Force ROTC, and graduated with an officer’s commission. Home for the summer from Baylor he met the love of his life, Barbara Bishop (Savell) at a baseball game, and a few short months later, November 25, 1954, they began their lifelong love story together. Bill left the Air Force in 1959, shortly after their first of three sons was born to operate the family ranch upon the death of his father, Miers. Bill was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Sonora and served the church as a deacon for many years. He was also active in the Lions Club, as well as serving on the school board for several years. He was the first coach many future Sonora Broncos experienced because he coached Little League baseball for several years. He believed in playing the game the right way and winning. Another endeavor that he truly enjoyed was his time on the Board of Directors of the Federal Land Bank (at the time), where both he and Barbara made some great new friends and enjoyed some new places with those friends. On the ranch he believed and preached work first and play second, and when he worked he worked hard, but when he played, golf or guitar or dancing with Barbara, he did those with passion as well. Anytime he was in a group, his laughter filled the room, as he truly enjoyed the company of family and friends. I think we would all agree that he truly loved being Barbara’s husband and protector, being Daddy, being Pawpaw, and being with friends and family!

Bill is preceded in death by both parents, Miers and Bernice, and his wife of 71 years, Barbara. He is survived by his sons, Bill, Jr. (Chip) Savell - Ozona, Cody and Valeri Savell - Tyler, and Scott and Sue Savell - Laredo, grandchildren Jake & Dana Savell, Craig and Emily Raschke, Andrew and Lindsay Hanks, Sarah Hoelscher, McKensay Savell, Colby and Haley Savell, Savannah Savell, and Madison Savell, and great grandchildren Artie Savell, Graham Raschke , Coleman Raschke, Addie Raschke, Lottie Raschke, Luke Hanks, Wesley Hanks, Skylen Hoelscher, Sunny Hoelscher, Lex Savell, and Kal Savell.

Serving as pallbearers are Jake Savell, Colby Savell, Craig Raschke, Andrew Hanks, Tate Shannon, and Evan Shannon.

Honorary pallbearers are Eddie Favila, Darryl Flynn, Randy Gillit, Benny Granger, Ron Hawthorne, Clay Hicks, Rick Hunnicut, Kerry Joy, Cory Lloyd, Tom Locke, Craig Parker, Tony Renfro, Rusty Rogers, Dee Spillar, Tom Wilborn, and Mike Wuest. All these men were great friends to Bill and his family throughout his long and blessed life.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers donations be made to:

The First Baptist Church Prayer Garden

The West Texas Boys Ranch

The First Baptist Church of Sonora