WILLIAM L. "BILL" BOURDEAU 85, of Ranger, TX passed
away Jan. 23, 2004 in Abilene, TX, with interment was
at Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger, TX.
Mr. Bourdeau was born on Aug. 8, 1918 in Atherton,
CA, to William N. and Agnes (Mooney) Bourdeau. He
attended the St. Rita Catholic School, Ranger High
School (RHS-1936) & the University of Texas at Austin,
where he received a degree in architectural engineering.
He worked for the U.S. government designing ships and
ship yards in New Orleans, Louisiana. He served his
country in the Army during WWII, serving in the South
Pacific & European Theaters, and attained the rank of
Master Sergeant. He married Bessie Inez Harrell (RHS-1937)
in June of 1958 in Ranger. After the war ended, he began
working with his father, William N. Bourdeau and Uncle
Clease Bourdeau until their retirement, at which time he
took over the family business. In his later years, he
taught construction trades at Ranger College until his
retirement. He was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church,
where he was a Eucharistic Minister, Knights of Columbus
charter member, life time director and charter member of
Ranger Historical Preservation Society.
Mr. Bourdeau is survived by his wife, Inez Bourdeau of
Ranger; children, William H. Bourdeau (RHS-1982) of
Crowley & Suzette Aliceanne Bourdeau Cozad of Hunington,
IN; sisters, Mary Bourdeau Reilly (RHS-1942) and who
taught business courses at Ranger High School, of Atherton,
CA, & Cecilia Mooney Gabrysch (RHS-1953) of Houston; eight
grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, John E.
Bourdeau.