William "Bill" Kenneth Armistead

1942 - 2026

In Loving Memory Of

William “Bill” Kenneth Armistead

September 11, 1942 – January 20, 2026

William “Bill” Kenneth Armistead, 83, entered the Lord’s heavenly kingdom on Tuesday morning, January 20, 2026 at Golden Palms in Harlingen, Texas.

Bill was born on September 11, 1942, to Lillian and William Armistead in Brownsville, Texas. Bill grew up in Raymondville and joined the Air Force on July 21, 1961, where he served as a Fire Protection Specialist Fireman 2. Bill was stationed at Andrew’s Air Force Base, Maryland, during the Vietnam era. Although he never left for Vietnam, Bill would assist in the transportation of deceased service members from the aircraft to the mortuary affairs building. Bill was Honorably discharged as an Airman 2nd Class, Fireman 2 in 1965.

After the Air Force, Bill worked for Valley Telephone CO/OP for 30 years. He finally retired in 1999, as an Outside Drafting Engineer. Bill was the proud father of a blended family of six children. He loved his community and church. Bill was a man of few words. He always kept his word and held you to yours. Bill helped his church as an usher, greeter, member of the choir. He even helped with the Royal Rangers as a leader. For those who don’t know who Royal Rangers are, they are simply a Christian version of Boy Scouts who teach young men about faith and spiritual guidance along with life skills needed to succeed.

After retirement, Bill and his wife, Rose, began to foster children through the Bair Foundation. They faithfully provided a safe and loving home to children for 14 years. In 2017, they adopted their seventh child.

Left to cherish his wonderful memory are his wife, Rose; their children, Stephanie, Angie, Will, Jim, David, Kyle, and Sebastian; their 13 grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild. Bill’s memory will live on in our hearts forever and he will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 26, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a prayer service at Trinity Funeral Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Trinity Funeral Chapel 

Funeral procession will depart from Trinity Funeral Home at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2026 for inurnment at 2:00 p.m. at Rio Grande Valley Veteran’s Cemetery in Mission, Texas with full military honors under the auspices of American Legion Post 205.

With profound love and remembrance, the family of William “Bill” Kenneth Armistead, have entrusted his funeral arrangements to Ellie Rojas-funeral director of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home, 1002 East Harrison Ave. Harlingen, Texas 78550. You may contact us at (956)364-2444 or visit us at www.trinityfunerals.com