William M. “Bill” Raborn, 90, of Shelbyville, Texas, passed away on December 25, 2017 in Houston. He was born on April 25, 1927 in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Strong Cemetery. 

 

 

 

 

A visitation will be held from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel.

 

After high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force to honorably serve his country. His time in the military left him with many stories to tell and pass down later in his life to his friends and loved ones. He loved to tell those stories of days gone by. Bill eventually settled with his family in East Texas where he worked for Timpson ISD in the maintenance department and as a bus driver for a number of years until his retirement. Bill was a family man. He loved his grandkids beyond words and treasured the moments he was able to spend with them. He also enjoyed hunting, air planes, Nascar and most especially, his dogs. Bill was a character to remember. Everyone he met enjoyed his company and his storytelling. It always seemed like Bill knew a little bit of everything. He was a truly beautiful soul that will be missed dearly.

William is survived by son, Wendell Raborn and wife, Elisa of Lafayette, Louisiana; daughter, Marcella Kemzuro and husband, Chuck of Lafayette, Louisiana; step-sons, Billy Collier and wife, Susan of Cleveland and Jimmy Collier and wife, Doris of Cleveland; brother, Smiley Raborn of Canada; sister, Marie Raborn; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

 

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Johnnie Raborn; brothers, E.C. Raborn and Emeal Raborn; and two grandchildren, Dusty Collier and Andrew Raborn. 

Pallbearers will be members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

 

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.