William Brady "Bill" Anderson

1945 - 2021

William Brady "Bill" Anderson
February 14, 1945 - January 2, 2021
Fort Worth, Texas - William Brady "Bill" Anderson, Jr., 75, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away January 2, 2021, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer and Parkinson's Disease.
He was born Feb. 14, 1945, in Corpus Christi, Texas to William and Elizabeth Anderson. Bill graduated Salutatorian from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1963 and went on to receive his degree in engineering physics from the University of Kansas in 1967 and his Master's in Applied Sciences from Southern Methodist University in 1971.
Bill met Lauren Barnard in high school. They dated during college and were married on June 18,1966. During their 54-year marriage, Bill and Lauren were known for being avid travelers and wildflower enthusiasts. They visited all fifty states, numerous countries and fifty-six of the sixty-two national parks. Together they identified over 250 wildflower species. They pioneered and taught a wildflower identification course at Tarrant County College for several years.
Bill was employed at General Dynamics, later Lockheed Martin, for all of his 38-year career, starting as an Associate Engineer, moving all the way to Program Director of the F-16 Program and retiring as Vice President after building a new Customer Support organization for the company.
Bill volunteered for several organizations including the American Red Cross, TCC Advisory Council, Read2Win, The University of Kansas Alumni Advisory Board, and Tarrant Churches Together. He was involved in all areas of church life during his 50-year membership at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, including playing in the bell choir and serving as Church Council President five times. While there, he took the initiative to create the Ready, Set, Go! Center which offers tutoring and mentoring to neighborhood children.
On September 27, 1976, Bill put on his running shoes and jogged a mile, beginning what would become, at one point, the 8th longest running streak in the United States. Over the next 44 years he ran seven marathons. He ran in all fifty states, multiple countries, dozens of cruise ships and even on an aircraft carrier. He ran healthy, sick, and drunk a time or two. He ran in hail and snow and got lost running in downtown Taiwan. And he ran the day after his appendectomy. On December 22, 2020 Bill ran his final mile with his daughter Barb, who is also a runner.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, Bill, Sr.; mother, Betty; and his sister, Becky.
He is survived by his wife, Lauren; two daughters and their husbands, Becky and Jeff Jacobs, and Barb and Nick Bomersbach; four grandchildren, Katy and Megan Jacobs, and Ryan and Grant Bomersbach; and his four brothers: Bob "Bobby", Barry, Ed "Buddy" and Brian "Binny".
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, funeral arrangements are pending and will be posted on the St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Ready, Set, Go! Center at: St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 5709 Wedgwood Dr., Fort Worth, Texas 76133
denote: Go Center Fund