William "Bill" Morgan Glover Sr.

William “Bill” Morgan Glover, Sr., passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on December 27, 2025.

He was born at home on the family farm in Daingerfield, Texas, on November 23, 1927, to Franklin Homer Glover and Eleanor Camp Glover. One of seven children and the second youngest, Bill was affectionately known as “Billy Morgan” by his mother. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Anthony Dwight “A.D.” Glover, Lincoln Franklin Glover, and Robert Starnes Glover, who died in infancy; his sisters Marie Glover, Myrtis Glover, and Opa Orena; his daughter Cynthia Marie Shelp; his son-in-law Joseph Rolland Shelp; and his grandson Jacob Daniel Shelp.

Bill attended first and second grade in Daingerfield before his family moved to Austin, Texas, around 1935. He attended Allan Elementary School and later Austin High School, located at 12th Street and Rio Grande. As a young man, he worked one summer as a Page Boy for a congressman from Morris County, Texas.

At just 17 years old, with his mother, Eleanor’s permission, Bill left school during his senior year to join the United States Merchant Marines. He was still in training when he was Honorably Discharged on V-J Day, August 15, 1945, following the end of World War II.

After his discharge, Bill held several positions in Austin, including work at a funeral home, as a Coca-Cola delivery driver, and as a photographer at Studtmann’s Photo Studio. On December 31, 1948, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He trained at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado as an upper machine gunner on a B-29 bomber and served primarily at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. During his tour, he earned the Korean Service Medal and was honorably discharged at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin on October 10, 1952.

In 1953, Bill married Mary Urias of Austin, Texas, in Galveston. The following year, in 1954, he purchased 130 acres of land in Elgin, Texas, using a VA loan, which included the old Duggar farmhouse. During this period, the family lived in various Austin locations, including Caswell Avenue, Morrow Street, and eventually the Duggar property in Elgin.

Bill worked briefly with his brother, A.D. Glover, manufacturing custom wood products, then at the Elgin Brick Yard, before beginning a long career with Economy Furniture Company around 1956. He worked there for approximately 25 years, serving as a supervisor and manager. In approximately 1963, he built his family home in Elgin, having previously lived in the old Duggar farmhouse along Old Highway 20.

After retiring around 1981, Bill developed the Bilmar Subdivision, named for Bill and Mary, on 13 acres of his land along Old Highway 20, creating thirteen one-acre tracts. He also raised cattle and coastal hay on the remaining land. The Bilmar Subdivision is now home to more than 15 families, many of whom Bill proudly helped establish homes that remain in the community today.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Urias Glover; his sons, Charles Glover (Terry), William M. Glover, Jr. (Pat), and David Glover (Susan); ten grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

A humble and hardworking man of wide experience and quick wit, Bill was a devoted husband and father. His legacy lives on through the family he loved and the community he helped build.

The Glover family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Silver Pines staff for their compassionate care over the last few years of Bill’s life.

Serving with Grace and Honor as Pallbearers are William Glover, Jr., David Glover, Charles Glover, Jason Glover, William Glover, III, and Jeremiah Shelp; Men of Honor are Adam Garcia and Nathaniel Shelp.

Family and Friends will gather on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 12 PM for a Graveside Service at Three Oaks Cemetery.