Dates
William Harvelle “Bill” Armstrong II, 80, of San Angelo, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at his residence surrounded by his family. Daddy was born on June 14, 1937 in San Angelo, Texas to Wm. H. and Jessica Armstrong.
Daddy graduated from San Angelo High School in 1955. While in high school, Daddy was a member of the Zocahs and the Bobcat football team. He enjoyed late night hunts with his 13 coon dogs and two mules. He was also known to ride his small burro bareback to the local drive-in burger joint, where he would pull up to the speaker and order.
Daddy married his high school sweetheart, Jody Berry, on June 15, 1955. Their birthdays were only 7 days apart. Mom’s mother had them marry the day after Daddy’s birthday, so that he would be the older man. He was 18, and she was 17. It made for quite a celebration week each June.
His family moved to San Angelo by covered wagon in 1906. Daddy’s great uncle and grandfather opened Armstrong Bros. Lumber Company on Chadbourne Street. He unloaded boxcars for the lumber company, and through this work he found his love for trains. He later worked as a bookkeeper for the lumber company after graduating from the University of Texas.
Daddy struck out on-his-own by forming his own CPA firm and practiced as a sole practitioner beginning in 1961. In 1963, he partnered with Mason L. Backus to form the accounting firm of Armstrong, Backus & Co., CPA’s. Bill and Mason’s friendship began when Mason, in his capacity as an IRS agent, audited one of Bill’s clients. From this chance encounter, their friendship evolved into a business partnership that lasted for three decades and grew to be one of the premier accounting firms in West Texas. Much of the firm’s success was attributed to Bill’s vision of the future and his devotion to clients, friends, and community. Daddy was an active member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and served on the executive board for many years.
Daddy was very involved in serving his community. He was a San Angelo City Councilman during the drought in the 1970’s. He also served on the YMCA, River Club, West Texas Boys Ranch Foundation and Texas State Bank boards.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jody Berry Armstrong; grandson, Travis Scott Armstrong and parents.
Daddy is survived by his one son, Wm. H. “Bill” Armstrong III and wife, Susan, of San Angelo; two daughters, Penny Armstrong Moore and husband, Freddy, of San Angelo, and Carrie Armstrong Sonderer and husband, Cy, of Granbury, six grandchildren, Sarah Moore Brannon and husband, Barrett, of Fort Worth, Frank Blair Armstrong of Lubbock, Seth Davis Moore and wife, Alyssa, of Midland, Cy Saier Sonderer, Jr. of Fort Worth, Sam Hays Sonderer of Fort Worth and Jody Elizabeth Sonderer of Granbury; two great-grandchildren, William Greyson Moore of Midland and Hattie-Claire Joy Brannon of Fort Worth; brother-in-law, E. Pat Baker of San Angelo; brother-in-law Wm. G. Berry, Jr. and wife, Suzanne, of Fort Worth; sister-in-law Nancy Walker and husband, Roger, of Phoenix, Arizona; special cousins (more like sisters), Anita Armstrong Adkins and Tina Armstrong Book, of San Angelo; numerous nieces, nephews, and many other family members and friends who love him and will miss him.
The family would like to thank Irma Vargas, Valerie Ramirez, Samantha Lopez, Brooke Boatright and the other caregivers of Visiting Angels who showed so much love and compassion to Daddy.
In addition, the family would like to thank the incredible doctors, nurses and staff of Shannon West Texas Memorial Hospital, the amazing staff of Brookdale Assisted Living, Kindred Hospice and Angel Care Home Health. We would also like to thank Dr. Carl Anderton for his wonderful care.
Visitation will be Friday, December 8th, from 5:00-7:00 at Harper Funeral Home.
There will be a private graveside family service prior to a Celebration of Life service to be held on Saturday, December 9th, at 11:00 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church Downtown San Angelo.
Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.