Search by Name

Search by Name

Willis Miles Ponder III

1941 - 2022

Willis Miles Ponder III obituary, 1941-2022, Ruidoso, TX

BORN

1941

DIED

2022

Willis Ponder Obituary

Willis Miles "Will" Ponder III, 80, of La Grange, Texas, died on Sept. 19, 2022. He was born Sept. 28, 1941, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Will is survived by his wife, Rebecca Ponder; son, Willis (Miles) Miles Ponder IV; daughters, Susan (Ponder) Harris, Kris Ponder and Regan Ponder; and grandchildren, Willis (Will) Miles Ponder V (Hallie), Andrew and Anna Harris, Lauren Ponder; great-grand-children, McKenzie Ponder and Willis (Miles) Miles Ponder VI; mother, Catherine Ponder; brothers, David Ponder (Helen) and Sam Ponder; and sister, Paula Bishop (Hugh).

He was preceded in death by his father, Willis Miles (Miles) Ponder Jr. and brother, Mack Ponder.

Will served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1962 in San Diego. He then moved to Little Rock, where he worked for Arkansas Electric Coop. While working there, he attended the University of Arkansas from 1968-1972 and received his degree in electrical engineering. His focus was on energy conservation for a sustainable future.

In 1981, Will founded ACR Engineering in Austin, Texas, and led the company until 2014.

In 1996, he married Rebecca Albritton of Austin, Texas. Will and Rebecca moved to Ruidoso, N.M., where they purchased two businesses, Sacred Ground Coffee & Tea House and Circle J BBQ, and also founded Glencoe Distillery. Will was an adventurer, a lifelong learner, a thinker, a dreamer and an entrepreneur throughout his life. He loved the opera, the arts and live music. While in Ruidoso, both Will and Rebecca took over the Mountain Entertainment Group for the Arts. He will be sorely missed by his family and countless numbers of friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mountain Entertainment Group for the Arts.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2 from 2-4 p.m. at Old Walnut Ridge First Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Jonesboro Sun on Sep. 28, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Willis Ponder

Not sure what to say?





1 Entry

Diane Looper

September 26, 2022

Sorry for your loss our condolences to the Ponder family.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in Willis Ponder's name

Memorial Events
for Willis Ponder

Sep

28

Celebration of Life

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Camp Congress

907 South Congress, Austin, TX

Oct

2

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Old Walnut Ridge First Baptist Church

Walnut Ridge, AR

Oct

8

Celebration of Life

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sacred Grounds Coffee & Tea House

2704 Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso, NM

How to support Willis's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Willis Ponder's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more