William "Smiley" Sherlock

1936 - 2021

Sherlock, William B. "Smiley"

SOUTHLAKE, Texas - "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine upon your smiling face."

...AND MAY YOU HIT IT STRAIGHT DOWN THE FAIRWAY.

Our "Smiley" would have liked a Scottish twist to an Irish blessing. All his life, Bill was told the name "Sherlock" was certainly Irish, and he enjoyed many Irish traditions -- so the shoe seemed to fit. Bill denied Irish heritage and was proud of his Norwegian and Scottish roots – so that proverbial shoe appeared to be a golf shoe. Like many Scots, Bill had a passion for golf and, like many Irish, knew no strangers and loved a good celebration. Bill had an optimistic joy for life and love of family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Margaret, and survived by children, Michelle Browning of North Richland Hills, Texas; Russell Sherlock and wife, Tina, of Steamboat, Colo.; and Daniel Sherlock and husband, Jason Blaylock, of LA, Calif. His love of family, golf and travel will live through grandchildren, Jared Sherlock of Minneapolis, Minn., and wife, Olivia; Corben Sherlock of Chicago, Ill., and wife, Nicole; and Tyler Browning of North Richland Hills, Texas.

Born after the Great Depression to William and Esther Sherlock of Madison as the younger brother to sister, Judy (deceased), Billy's smile lit up the room at a time when smiles were needed. A 1954 grad of West High School in Madison, in ninth grade Bill met the love of his life in Margaret Hickey, whom he would marry five years after their graduation.

Bill graduated from U of Wisconsin in Madison, where Sigma Phi fraternity brothers aptly labeled a beer stein for "Smiley." Ever a Badgers fan, Bill flew to see a game at Camp Randall in 2019 with his grandson and later attended the 2020 Rose Bowl with his son and other family and friends. Bill's travel wasn't limited to Wisconsin sports events. (Yes, though he lived in Dallas, he was indeed a Packers fan!) He traveled the world extensively until the pandemic. While he preferred the companionship of his wife on trips, he was never scared to go solo far and wide. You name it. Bill had been there or wanted to go.

Bill's work would take him on longer journeys to form lifetime friends through relocations with career-long employer, GTE, leaving Madison and onto Wausau, Wis.; Sun Prairie, Wis.; East Brunswick, N.J.; Trumbull, Conn.; Muskegon, Mich.; Durham, N.C.; and for the past 36 years called the D-FW mid-cities home.

"Whatever it is, I didn't do it" – was a plaque sitting on Bill's desk, because he knew that a smile is the ideal antidote for trouble. Per colleagues, Bill's "special brand of leadership" ensured hard work and fun go together. Golf was often involved with offsite meetings, and his team learned a simple smile's importance gives much -- without costing the giver. Bill retired from GTE in 1993 and was proud for his launch of the first "Mickey Mouse Phone" and "The Phone Mart." Bill was a pioneer first tenant of "Infomart" in Dallas, Texas, launching GTE's trade presence welcoming international dignitaries as well as corporate and local city officials. Bill was proud to play a role in bringing public rail (DART) to Dallas – modeled after the Bay Area (BART) counterpart. After retirement he wasn't only found on the links (though there frequently), but he also enjoyed his roles as grandfather and husband/assistant to Margaret, who had become a top Dallas/Fort Worth area realtor.

Bill was a devout member of Good Shepherd Church in Colleyville, Texas. Among his other community interests were The Mid-Cities Care Corps, and The Retirement Fund for the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 335 S. Kirkwood Road, St Louis, MO 63122. Contributions in Bill's honor would be welcomed by any of these groups.

In deference to a pandemic that took our Smiley, the family has made the difficult decision to best honor Bill and avoid risk to others by not having gatherings at this time. Bill was explicit in his wishes, and despite the denial of Irish roots requested that his family hold a big party sometime in his and Irish wife Margaret's honor on the lake in Madison, where they had the party that started it all: their wedding reception.

One man touched many with one simple act. An action that can't be bought or borrowed -- and is of no value until given. Your best tribute is to pay forward a smile to others who might need it and be digging deep right now to find their own smile to give. Though our hearts are aching missing William, in remembrance and honor of "Smiley" Bill Sherlock we ask you just....

.....SMILE.