William R. Bufkins

1949 - 2018

William R. Bufkins

William R. (Bill) Bufkins of Denton passed away peacefully Saturday, August 11, 2018 after an eight-year struggle with Alzheimers disease. He was 68.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Russell L. Bufkins, Dorothy Clewlow Bufkins, and a sister, DeeDee. He is survived by his brother James Norman Bufkins, his soulmate and wife of 36 years, Samra Jones Bufkins, and his beloved pets.

Bill was born October 10, 1949 in Coral Gables, Florida. He was a true renaissance man, a lover of art, opera and classical music, an accomplished pianist, avid photographer and enthusiastic long-distance cyclist. He loved reading, studying and discussing history and politics, and never met a person he couldnt converse with. Bill was a bon vivant, fluent in five languages, and loved good food, good wine, and good friends. He had a thoughtful side, too. He was as likely to carefully consider profound answers to serious questions as he was to blurt out something outrageously funny.

Bill graduated from Princeton (N.J.) High School, earned a degree in European History from American University in Washington, DC., and an MBA in Finance from the University of Houston. He had a long career in human resources, specializing in compensation analysis, in the oil & gas, aerospace and healthcare industries. An Enron survivor, Bill authored a chapter in the book Corporate Fiascos and their implications (1st. Ed.).

He was an active volunteer with many professional and nonprofit organizations, including serving as president of the Houston Compensation and Benefits Association. He was a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and volunteered his HR management skills with the United Way of Greater Houston. Bill also volunteered for the Galveston Bay Foundation and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus.

Bill was an adventurer who lived in Naples Italy, San Juan Puerto Rico, and Paris France before moving with Samra to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1982. Together they traveled to more than 20 countries, seeking adventures everywhere they went.

Bill's intellect, humor and gentleness will be missed by all who knew him.

Visitation and rosary will be from 6-8 P.M. Friday, August 17, 2018 at DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 W. University Dr., Denton, Tx 76201.

The Funeral Mass will be Saturday, August 18, 10:00 A.M. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 6500 Crawford Rd., Argyle, TX 76226. Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to UT Southwestern Medical Center, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, TX 75391-0888 or online at https://engage.utsouthwestern.edu, to support The Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Memorial contributions may also be made to the Knights of Columbus Council 12553 or the St. Mark Building Fund, at 6500 Crawford Road, Argyle, TX 76226.

Samra would like to extend her heartfelt thanks to Tonie Morgan of Trio Hospice, the staff at Medical City Denton, especially 2nd floor south, Accolade Home Health, Denton ACTS, Knights of Columbus, Denton PD and the many friends who helped out along the way. Finally, there are not enough words of thanks for Ted Alexander, Bills faithful companion, caregiver and friend for the past 2 1/2 years. Bills life was enriched by all Ted did for him.