William A. Pribble

William Alva Pribble William A. Pribble was born on May 17, 1922 in Tazewell, Virginia to Harley B. Pribble and Ruth Stevens Pribble. He attended elementary and high school in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, graduating in 1940. Bill completed two years in the College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky before joining the U.S. Army 980th Signal Service Company and serving three years in Europe and Asia in World War II. While in the Army, Bill earned five battle stars, two unit meritorious citations, and the French Croix de Guerre. After returning to the U.S., Bill continued his education, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1948. On January 17, 1949, Bill began a thirty-seven year career with International Business Machines as a customer engineer in Cincinnati, Ohio. In January of 1957, he transferred to the Development Engineering Laboratory in Lexington, Kentucky. While in Lexington, Bill held various engineering management assignments in development, production, special engineering, and patent engineering. He transferred to Austin, Texas in 1968 where he held several engineering positions as Production, Development, and Site Administrative Services Manager. In 1975, Bill was appointed manager of General Business Group International, manufacturing Operations, Austin. He retired from IBM in 1985. After retirement, Bill loved spending time with and spoiling his beloved granddaughter Stacy and later attending her school field trips, horse shows, basketball games, and many other activities. He also enjoyed working on various projects at his ranch in Cedar Creek, Texas. Bill's sense of humor, fairness, generosity, and compassion for others are what many will remember about him. He was also an accomplished artist. Bill is survived by his wife Sophie, daughter Marilyn Kennison and her husband Chris, granddaughter Stacy Ann Boatright, brothers Harley B. Pribble, Jr. and John Milton Pribble of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, several nieces and nephews, and many cherished friends. The family would like to thank special friends Dr. Hans Haydon, Barbara and Tinsley Oden, Ophelia and Ray Russell, Ray Thompson, and Debbie, Melissa, and Glenna from Girling. Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, 1/26, at Cook-Walden, North Lamar location. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, 1/27, at Austin Memorial Park on Hancock Drive with Chaplain Charles Smith officiating.