William R. Mann

William R. Mann, 75, of Pampa, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023 at his home in Pampa.

 

Services are at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Pampa-Priest Park Church of God with Pastor Carl Dawson, pastor, officiating. Entombment will follow at Memory Gardens Mausoleum under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

 

William was born on April 19, 1948 in Pampa to James Mann and Joyce Smith Mann. He graduated from Pampa High School in 1966. William then went on to earn his certificate in auto mechanics. He enlisted in the United States Navy on July 1, 1968. During this tour, William was a part of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 12 and 128 in Gulfport, Mississippi, as a SeaBee. William actively served in the Navy until 1970 when he transferred to the Naval Reserves. He married Cynthia Grayum on November 26, 1971. She passed on August 21, 2020. William worked at Rudy’s Automotive Service for a short time before reenlisting in the active service in 1974. He was stationed on many ships during his time in the Navy including the USS Saratoga, USS Orion, USS Koelsch, and USS Frank Cable. William was also stationed at the Naval Recruiting Station in Orlando and, his final post, the Naval Air Station in Memphis. He retired from a successful career in the Navy in 1993.

 

After retiring from the Navy, William worked at the Best Western and AutoZone. He took great pride in being the commercial accounts manager during his time at AutoZone and was known for being able to find any part needed on the first try. William was a survivor of Hurricane Camille, and often said that was the only thing that got in his way of returning to serve in Vietnam. He was a member of the VFW Post 1657 in Pampa and the Pampa-Priest Park Church of God. William enjoyed collecting coins, specifically Morgan Silver Dollars. He also enjoyed fixing things, mostly cars, but would work on anything. However, his favorite hobby was irritating Cynthia, only when he wasn’t working on one of her “Honey Do Tasks”.

 

William was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Cynthia; his parents, James and Joyce Mann; and three siblings, Robert Mann, Nancy Sitz, and Richard Mann.

 

He is survived by his two sons, Charles Mann of Pampa, and Brian Mann of Leander; one sister, Pam Jonas and husband Randy of Pampa; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and one on the way; and several nieces and nephews.

 

Memorials may be made to the VFW Post 1657 Auxiliary, PO Box 2684, Pampa, Texas, 79066 or the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland, 20889.