BILL C. HAYNES

Bill C. Haynes
Abilene

Bill C. Haynes, 86, died Wednesday, January 4, 2012 in a local hospital. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7th at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel with Dr. Phil Christopher and Jud Powell officiating, directed by Starbuck Funeral Home.
Bill was born May 21, 1925 to Comer and Winnie Murl (Teaff) Haynes just outside of Merkel, TX. Though Winnie Murl died when Bill was only 3, Comer soon remarried and Bill knew Lucy (Tracy) Haynes as his mother. He briefly attended Texas A & M University, then decided to join the Army in 1945 and was honorably discharged at the rank of lieutenant. After the Army, Bill obtained his pilot's license and was a crop duster, then ran an irrigated farm in Van Horn until the 1953 drought. He grew up down the street from Sandra Sadler, who he courted for years until they married March 11, 1953 in Merkel. Bill then sold cars in New Mexico until he moved to Abilene to become a partner in the Abilene Livestock Auction. The original Auction burned to the ground in 1964, but Bill built a state of the art facility in its place. To sell thousands of cattle day and night, he required lighting, sound, and heating systems beyond the expertise of local residents, so he taught himself (the result was featured in Outdoor Lighting Digest). Bill then sold the Auction and opened the Abilene Travel Service, and was known around Abilene for his clever ads staged live on TV. Fascinated by electronics, Bill took night classes on computers and opened the first computer store in Abilene. He ran cattle on the family ranch in New Mexico until he retired. Even in later years, Bill enjoyed computers and technology, the latest and greatest gadgets, and staying one step ahead of his grandchildren.
Bill will be remembered by all as a kind, outgoing man with a twinkle in his eyes. He had the gift of making everyone feel special and went to any length to make friends, family and even complete strangers laugh. He drove across the country to help family with the smallest of problems, and made sure to say I love you at every possible moment. We will miss his deep, cheerful voice and relentless smile.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Haynes; son, Dr. Bill Haynes and wife Carol; daughter, Melinda Haynes all of Abilene; 5 grandchildren, Kimberly Haynes, William Haynes Jr., Sandi Haynes, Matthew Davis and Z. Davis.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dr. Jack Haynes.
You may view and sign the online guestbook at www.starbuckfuneral home.com.