Bill Utter

1951 - 2026

Bill Eugene Utter Jr., 74, of Argyle, passed away on January 16, 2026, in Plano, Texas. He was born in Amarillo, Texas, on December 8, 1951, and raised in Denton, Texas, by his parents, Bill Eugene Utter Sr. and Virginia Bishop Utter. He married Monica Nicholson on January 17, 1999, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Bill was blessed with a full and meaningful life, filled with love for his family and friends, an enthusiasm for sports and travel, and a warm smile that touched everyone he met. He graduated in May 1974 from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, earning a bachelor's degree from the Cox School of Business. A proud member of the Kappa Alpha Order at SMU, he cherished the memory of his softball team's intramural championship victory in 1974. Affectionately known among themselves as his 'Frat Bros,' Bill's fraternity brothers remained among his closest companions throughout his life. As the namesake of his family-owned and operated business, Bill began working at Bill Utter Ford at the age of 14 in the parts department. His dedication to the dealership and the people it served grew throughout his life, shaping both his career and his commitment to the community. It was there that he met the love of his life, Monica, and together they were honored to carry forward and grow the dealership's legacy for generations. They later welcomed their children, Bailee (Utter) Kuehne in August 2001 and Bill Eugene Utter III ("Trey") in December 2003, who were the pride and joy of his life. Bill demonstrated a strong dedication to excellence in both his academic and professional endeavors. At Denton High School, he was a football letterman, a Student Council representative, and a member of Key Club and the Honor Society and was selected as a Class Favorite for multiple years. He went on to become an active leader in the automotive industry, earning the prestigious Ford President's Award for outstanding performance in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2011. In addition, he served as a Board Member for the Ford Dealers Advertising Fund and was a member of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, the Dallas New Car Dealers Association, and several local Chambers of Commerce. Bill also dedicated his time to serving on the Denton Country Club Board of Directors. Aside from all of his professional achievements, Bill was deeply devoted to his family and the people he loved. He proudly supported his son's passions as the team manager for his AAU basketball team and found great joy in celebrating the accomplishments of others, often known as "everyone's best man" in life. A diehard sports fan, Bill held season tickets for the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys since the team's inception. He was proud to have the opportunity to attend every Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl appearance. His loyalty and genuine character gave him a one-of-a-kind presence that inspired lasting friendships. He is survived by his beloved wife, Monica; daughter Bailee (Utter) Kuehne and her husband, Will Kuehne; son Bill Eugene Utter III ("Trey"); brother Bob Utter and his wife, Betsey; and sister Barbara Utter Tomes. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Greater Dallas Chapter or Dementia Friendly Denton County: The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 South Locust Street, Denton, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, January 22, 2026, at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be held privately for the family at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, Texas, prior to the service. All guests are invited to a reception immediately following the service at Denton Country Club, 1213 Country Club Road, Argyle, Texas.