WILLIAM "BILL" CONROE

Bill Conroe, a life-long resident of Conroe, and the great-grandson of Capt. Isaac Conroe, the founder of the City of Conroe, passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2012.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. in The Chapel at Conroe Funeral Directors with Pastor Brian Fox officiating. A private interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in The Chapel at Conroe Funeral Directors.

Bill was born on June 20, 1930 in Conroe, Texas to Elbert Isaac and Anna Floy Conroe and passed away on Wednesday in Conroe, Texas. Bill graduated from Conroe High School in 1947 at the age of 16. Later, when he turned 17, he joined the U.S. Navy, planning to make it a career. After serving 7 years, during which time he served on minesweepers during the Korean War, Bill got out of the Navy with a rank of Engineman First Class, and returned home to run the family business. For many years, Bill operated the Conroe Appliance and Sporting Goods Store and also, was the Consignee for Mobil Oil Company. Also, after returning home from the Navy, Bill attended the University of Houston, and was active in the real estate business. Bill was involved in to the community including serving on the City of Conroe Planning and Zoning committee and as President of the Conroe Evening Lions Club. For more than 50 years, he was a Master Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite Masons and a Shriner. He was also a member of the VFW Post #4709 of Conroe, TX. As a mechanic, Bill was always willing to work on his friend's vehicles and boats. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas E. Conroe; brother-in-law, Thomas Smith; sister-in-law, Veleta Conroe and niece, Kristin Smith. Bill is survived by his devoted family: wife, Norma Conroe; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Rudy Rymal; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Teresa Conroe; sister, Martha Smith; grandchildren, Keith Rymal and wife, Gina, Shae Rymal and Ryan Rymal and wife, Amber, Kimberly Poole and husband, Vernon, Kristina Infante and husband, Mario and Katie Conroe; great grandchildren, Dylan, Dade, Anna, Madisyn and Mario, III; nieces, nephews and friends also survive.