In Loving Memory
Bill DeBerry of Denton, entered into Gods eternal care on May 13, 2017. He was born in Whistler, Alabama to Edmond Clyburn and Ella Nora (Briggs) DeBerry.
The family moved to Galveston, Texas in 1948, a short time later Edmond died. Bill quit school and went to work at various odd jobs to help support the family. Bill was a lifeguard in Galveston beach until he went to work for J. Levy Funeral Home in Galveston driving an ambulance an assisting with funerals. During his time in Galveston Bill was known as “Scooter” although his mother called him “Buddy”. He was one of the best pool players on the island and made extra money hustling pool. Mr. Levy convinced him to go back to school. At age 21, he went back to a Catholic High School driving the school bus to cover his tuition and graduated. His mother raised him as a Catholic to insure he was able to receive the proper education, after moving to Denton he later joined St. David of Wales Episcopal Church.
He moved to Denton, Texas in 1958 to attend the University of North Texas. He went to work for J.B. Floyd at Schmitz-Floyd- Hamlett Funeral home. While working for J.B. Floyd, he went to the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Services and began his lifelong career in Denton of over 59 years.
He married Juanita Clampitt in 1960 and had three children; Bill DeBerry Jr., Jennifer DeBerry and Andrew DeBerry. He later married Betty Foshee in 1970. Bill was a fan of old Blues Music and Waylon Jennings. You could walk in the house and hear the likes of Son House, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Waylon, Willie and Meryl to name a few, playing on the record or 8 track player.
He worked for J.B. for many years and later for Bob Schmitz at Jack Schmitz and Son Funeral Home. At the time Bob retired, Bill went back to work for J.B. Floyd until the fall of 1988 when Bill made a huge commitment to open his own funeral home in Denton in 1990. At that time very few people thought that he could actually make it work. Those that did believe in him supported him whole heartily. Bill Jr worked a full time job and in his time off helped Bill Sr. at the funeral home Betty and Andrew helped where they could.
In his 64 years in the Funeral Service Bill dedicated himself to the families he served, and the community in and around Denton. He touched so many lives and will certainly be missed.
He is survived by his sons, Bill DeBerry Jr. and wife Mary Ann of Denton, Andrew DeBerry and wife Nichole of Krum, and daughter, Jennifer DeBerry Evans and husband John of San Marcos his grandchildren, William “Justin” DeBerry, Erin Nicole DeBerry and Jessica Lynn DeBerry all of Sanger, Cody and Tyler Evans of San Marco, step-grandchildren, Alyssa and Damian Perez of Krum, one great-grandson, William “Waylon” DeBerry, and extended family members with an enormous amount of friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty DeBerry, his mother and father, sister, Mattye Mae DeBerry Aaron, brothers, Edmond “Buck” DeBerry and Albert “Al” DeBerry Sr.
A visitation was held at Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton, Texas on Wednesday night, May 17, 2016 from 6-8 P.M.
A Requiem Mass was held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton, Texas on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. with interment to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton.
The only request from the family is, Your thoughts and prayers for our family as we make this transition in our lives. If you would like, please consider making a memorial contribution to one of the following in honor of Bill DeBerry Sr.; St. David of Wales Episcopal Church in Denton or The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton.
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