Banker Bill Cauthorn was a Tower of a Man

DEL RIO, TX — Sidney William (Bill) Cauthorn, of Del Rio, Texas passed away peacefully, surrounded by family November 1, 2021. He was 83 years old

Bill was born to Robert “Bobby” and Alice Cauthorn on March 6, 1938 in Del Rio. He lived in both Del Rio and the ranch at Juno while growing up.

I first met Mr. Cauthorn at a house party in Del Rio in 1994. Being a fellow Aggie, I lamented about how difficult it was to remember the names of all the kind folks in the room when first introduced. Cauthorn taught me a trick that I use to this day. He said to grab a cocktail napkin. When first introduced to someone, he said, fold the napkin in half and put it in your pocket while concentrating on the person's name. Do the same for the next guest and so on, until the napkin is too small to fold. Then get a new napkin and start over again. 

While a student at A&M, you are taught to remember the names of people who you meet because nothing in more important to people around you than their name. At A&M, Cauthorn received an extra lesson in this art.

On one occasion, Cauthorn and his father Bobby were having breakfast in the Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M when Bobby looked up and saw Coach Bryant walk in the door. Bobby told Bill “Here comes Coach Bryant.” and Bill replied “Dad, he doesn’t even know my name.” Coach Bryant walked up to the pair and said “Good morning, Bill. This must be your Dad.” and reached out to shake their hands.

Cauthorn earned a scholarship to play football at Texas A&M where Cauthorn frequently recalled he practiced for Coach Bryant more than he played. Bill was a graduate of the Class of 1960 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.

His life revolved around his family, Texas A&M University, work, Del Rio, and Val Verde County. Being a Mason, he led a spiritual life that was not known by many outside the family. Bill made many dear and special friends over his time on earth and loved each and every one of them. Cauthorn was straight and to the point which translates to if you don’t want his opinion, don’t ask. He would probably give it to you anyway.

In June of 1959, he married the love of his life, Kay Zechlyn Mills of Pandale and Del Rio, whom he had dated since the 6th grade. Upon graduation, they both moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Cauthorn had secured a job with Ingersoll Rand as a Sales Engineer. While working for Ingersoll Rand he and a co-worker, Gene Sorrells, opened an Ingersoll Rand dealership in Oklahoma City. In 1964, with two young boys, Guy and Sid, the Cauthorns moved back home to Del Rio where he went to work for the Del Rio National Bank. A few years later he became Senior Vice President of the Del Rio Bank and Trust, where he ultimately became President and CEO.

In 1980 Cauthorn formed Westex Bancorp, Inc. and spent the rest of his career expanding the Bank & Trust brand by opening banking offices in Brackettville, Sonora and San Angelo and investment offices in Del Rio, San Angelo, Uvalde, Boerne and Bryan. Cauthorn was integral in Westex’s purchase of Anco Insurance in Bryan in 2001 and the formation of The Bank & Trust of Bryan/College Station in Bryan in 2008.

In the early 1970s Bill and A.C. Ozuna formed a partnership to make plastic fishing worms which was one of the first Maquiladoras in Del Rio. Maquiladoras are factories built on the Mexico side of the Texas-Mexico border to manufacture products. In the mid 1970’s, Bill, his father Bobby and brother Jim purchased their first Coca-Cola bottling company in San Marcos, Texas and a few years later purchased another Coca-Cola company in Del Rio. Later, the trio and Toby Summers formed a Coca-Cola canning company in Cuero, Texas.

Cauthorn was an entrepreneur's banker and shared deep empathy to those starting and wanting to succeed in business. One little known feat of Cauthorn was how he was instrumental in helping Julio T. Garcia and family greatly expand their already thriving corn chip business, Julio's Corn Chips. When Julio approached Cauthorn about a loan to move out of their residential area "factory" and build a genuine production facility, Cauthorn knew the Garcia family had a great product but needed better financial reporting to shore up the loan Mr. Garcia was seeking. Instead of turning the Garcias away, he helped Julio and family implement business practices and reporting that insured Julio would qualify for the expansion loan. Julio qualified for the loan and built the first real factory on US 90 East in Del Rio. Today, you can buy Julio's Corn Chips in just about any supermarket in the country.

In addition to his business accomplishments Cauthorn always said spending time with, being involved in the lives of, and attending the sporting events of his five grandchildren as a major accomplishment. He also served as President of the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M that today is a $45 million (in revenues) non-profit organization that supports Texas A&M athletics and scholarships. He was a Mason, a general aviation pilot, an artist, and calf roper. Cauthorn loved to fish, hunt with his friends and family, skied, and attended the horse races in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and ranching. He was also a golfer, played tennis, and served as a Peewee football coach. Cauthorn loved traveling the world with Kay including biking through France.

Bill Cauthorn is survived by his wife, Kay Mills Cauthorn, son Sid and wife Kim and their three children Abb (College Station), Hattie (Houston) and Mills (College Station). Son Guy, his wife Keri and their two children, Drew (Newport Beach, CA) and Sidney Aquino and her husband Michael (Houston). Brother Jim Cauthorn and his wife Ann of San Marcos and Alice (Junior) Esquivel and her husband Ed of Dallas, brother-in-law Henry Mills and his wife Maxine of Del Rio as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bill is also survived by the many friends and partners that he shared his life with at the Bank and Trust and Anco Insurance.

Bill Cauthorn was a tower of a man who left west Texas a much better place that he found it 83 years ago just by setting an example for those with whom he lived and worked. He exemplified service above self and motivated all around him to achieve excellence.

The family would like to specifically thank Sabina Rueda, Juan Rueda and their extended families for their love and support for many, many years. Also, Carla Maltos, Martha Trevino, Terri Joiner, Raquel Ramos and Gracie Espinoza of Vida Real Home Health in Del Rio. The people in Bryan that we would like to thank are Caroline Kimble, Sheila Burns, Ty Richards, Marquita Darnell and Patricia Vanegas of Visiting Angels.

In Lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you honor Mr. Cauthorn by donating to the Shumla Archeological Research and Educational Center, Loaves and Fishes of Del Rio or First United Methodist Church of Del Rio.

Excerpts of Mr. Cauthorn's obituary were used in this piece.