William “Bill” Francis Joyce, 87 years, of Houston, Texas rode away with Jesus on Thursday,
February 6th, 2025 at 7:51 p.m. He was in Jeffersontown, Kentucky and is no longer doing “Terrible, but thanks for asking.”
“Billy” was born on August 12, 1937 in Astoria, New York to Peter and Lillian (Froggatt) Joyce and enjoyed the privileges of being their only child.
He grew and enjoyed watching the airplanes fly in and out of LaGuardia Airport, swimming at Rockaway Beach, listening to old time country music radio from the Grand Ol Opry with his Grandnanny and summer time visits with his cousins in Ballydesmond, County Cork, Ireland.
Bill graduated from Delehanty High School in Queens, New York. The day following his graduation in 1957 he joined the United States Air Force. Bill would go on to be stationed in San Antonio, California, Japan and finally at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas.
It was there in San Angelo that he met Ann “Annice” Bernice Nesrsta. He was “the best looking boy she’d ever seen whose first name was Bill and his last name was something funny.”
Bill and Annice married on August 12th, 1961 in a beautiful wedding before a congregation that filled San Angelo’s brand new Catholic Cathedral.
Bill earned his Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance, at Texas Tech University in 1967. He spent his career primarily in the Oil & Gas and Steel Manufacturing Industries as an International Credit Manager. His work moved them from Lubbock to Tulsa, Topeka and Houston, Texas where they built their family’s beautiful home and lived for 54 years.
Bill loved traveling both for work and with his “Nici.” He kept journals of his travels and shared the meals, sites and experiences with his family through them. He loved playing tennis, socializing at the YMCA and church, leaning up against the fence and telling stories with the neighbors across the street, Billy Kirsch and Wilson Choate. He enjoyed hunting seasons with Brian Martin, his brother-in-law, and eventually with Richard Howell, his son-in-law. He enjoyed hiking with his friend Dean and Houston’s Happy Hikers, sitting around the fire and feeding his backyard birds. He treasured his family and we all knew how much he loved us.
Sweet Ol’ Bill, aka “SOB” will always be remembered for his many “Papa-isms,” his great smile and sense of humor, for his dessert compartment, for liking to wear brightly colored “Hawaiian” shirts and his Texas Tech cap, showing his “Guns Up” in any photograph, for his patience and grace, his loving bear hugs and beautiful whistle and for sharing his gratitude to God for His love and gift of Jesus Christ.
Bill is survived by his wife of 63 years, Annice Joyce, Daughter, Nancy Ann (Joyce) and Son-in-law Richard Howell and Grandson Samuel William Howell also known as his best buddy and favorite Red Raider. Also, Nancy and Robert “Bob’ J. O’Malley of Aurora, CO, George Jr. and Marilyn Nesrsta of Midland and Evelyn and J. Brian Martin also of Midland, TX as well as Cousins John Fitzgerald of Orefield, PA, Sile O’Leary of Kennebunkport, ME, numerous nieces and nephews.
In remembrance, we hope you’ll sit with family and friends and be warmed by the light of the sun, smell a flower, have a margarita, eat a cookie or two. Say “Howdy” to a stranger and bring a smile to someone in need. Say “thank you” to the careworkers and people who help and never forget to tell your wife and family that you love them.
Our Sweet Bill, Dad, Papa and friend will be honored by the USAF and celebrated by family and friends at a graveside service on Friday, February 14th, 2025 at 3:30 pm at Johnson’s Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo, Texas. Ratterman’s Funeral Home in Jeffersontown, KY and Johnson’s Funeral Home in San Angelo, TX. “Long live the Matador!”
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