William Dismukes

William Ira Dismukes Bill Dismukes went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday, November 12, 2011. He lived a long and blessed life, most of which was spent with his precious wife, Millie D., who preceded him to death after 54 years together. He was born in Alabama, but he said the family got to Texas as fast as possible. When he was 8 years old they settled in Luling, Texas. Times were hard and he made his money by delivering eggs and vegetables on his bicycle from their farm. He also worked in his father's pharmacy which influenced his decision to be a pharmacist. He graduated from Luling High School and immediately hopped a train to San Antonio to enlist in the Navy. He served 3 years during WWII aboard a destroyer in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theatre under Admirals Nimitz and Halsey. His ship received 11 bronze Campaign Stars and the Presidential Citation for the first to bombard the Japan mainland. He was very proud and honored to serve his country. After discharge from the Navy, Bill returned to Luling where he took his pre-pharmacy education at Texas State and met the most important person in his life, his precious Millie D. They were married and moved to Austin to begin their life together. Truly it was a marriage made in Heaven. Bill attended the University of Texas College of Pharmacy where life was very busy, both working to make ends meet and raising their son, David. These were trying years before he received his pharmacy degree, but they helped build a real closeness for the three of them, along with their faith, which accounted for their future success. He was also a member of the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. Shortly after graduating Bill and Mildred bought a pharmacy in Austin, literally on faith and lots of credit, thus began their many successful years in Pharmacy. David and wife, Judy, joined the partnership after receiving his degree in pharmacy and together they operated several pharmacies, until selling their last one in 1997. Bill and David pursued other areas of pharmacy. Bill has often said that most of their success belonged to Mildred. Besides being very successful in his profession, Bill was very active in the community, among other things he was Vice President and Director of Rotary Club of Austin, President of the Austin Aqua Festival, and involved in the United Way, Boy Scouts Capitol Area, Helping Hand Home, and Heritage Society. Bill loved the Lord and with Mildred served 41 years and was a Deacon at Hyde Park Baptist Church. They continued their devotion at Great Hills Baptist Church, and he was a faithful and long time member of Gideons International and World Council of Churches. He was a true longhorn and great supporter of his alma mater, The University of Texas College of Pharmacy, where he was instrumental in starting the raising of funds for the very successful Student Scholarship program which has helped thousands obtain their education. Among other honors, he received the alumni highest honor, the Williams J. Sheffield Award, Legends of Pharmacy Award, Fellowship in Pharmacy, Endowed Presidential Scholarship, the University of Texas College of Pharmacy Alan W. Hamm Lifetime Achievement Award, and others. He was a long time member of the Pharmacy Advisory Council and was President of the Alumni Association. Bill was also very active in the State Pharmacy Association, having served as Director and Treasurer of the Board, he chaired many committees, led fund raising efforts and was Trustee of the Pharmacy Foundation. He was very proud of his profession and served in many areas. Bill was blessed with a very loving family who affectionately call him "Dub". He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred, daughter-in-law Judy Dismukes, and parents, Henry and Allie Mae Dismukes. He is survived by his son, David Dismukes, grandson Chris Dismukes, two granddaughters and their husbands, Melissa and David Pore, Heather and Britt Hardeman, four great-grand children, Courtney and Travis Pore, and Ford and Waylon Hardeman, sister Mary Bou-Chebl, and brother, Henry Dismukes. A special thank you from the family to caregivers Kathy Burke and Daniel Peredes who so lovingly took care of Bill when he was ill. One of Bill's favorite bible verses was (2. Corinthians 5:7) "We walk by faith, not by sight." He lived his life so that others could see Christ in his life. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15th in the Great Hall at Great Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Ross Hartsfield officiating. Burial will follow in Austin Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Chris Dismukes, David Pore, Britt Hardeman, Arlyn Klosel, Jim Doluisio, and Daniel Peredes. Honorary pallbearers are John Braziel, Lonnie Hollingsworth, Glenn Rogers, Steven Leslie, and members of the Trendsetters Bible Class. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gideon's International, Box 27411, Austin, Texas 78755 or Great Hills Baptist Church, 10500 Jollyville Rd., Austin, Texas 78759. Memorial and guestbook online at wcfish.com.