Willard Frank Proctor

Willard Frank Proctor was born in Grand Saline, Texas on October 17, 1924 to his parents, Willard and Billie Proctor. While in high school he was active in all sports. Never a star but always a participant, he played softball, was on the track team, basketball and football teams. The football team went undefeated in 1940-1941. After high school he enrolled in Schreiner Military Academy in Kerrville, Texas in 1942. While there he worked as editor of the school newspaper, The Mountaineer. He also waited tables three times a day.

Shortly after turning 18, he enlisted in the Navy and served 39 months. After some two years of training to be a radio and radar operator, he was placed in the VPB 111. Sent to Hawaii, and then to Palawan Island, Philippines. He was part of a B-24 crew that flew in missions over Borneo, The Celebes, Singapore and Malaysia. Some of their flights were 14 hours in duration. While there he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. American Campaign Medal, Pacific Campaign Medal with one star, Good Conduct Medal, The Air Medal with two stars, The Navy Unit Commendation Medal, The Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star. After his discharge in April 1946, he enrolled at SMU where he received a B.S. degree in Journalism. Having stayed in the Navy Reserve, he trained for and received a commission as ensign which he held for several years.

At the start of his senior year, Frank borrowed $2,000 and with one of his associate professors, founded Proctor Press in 1948, in the garage with only the basic equipment. A fifty-one year struggle began with two employees. After 5 moves, the company ended up with some 50 employees and one year was recognized by the Business Journal as the 17th largest printer in the DFW area.

Active for many years in the Texas Printing Association, Frank served as Treasurer, Vice President and President. He also served two years as Chairman of the State Credit Union. In 1996 he was asked to be the presenter of the coveted PIA-Texas Lifetime Achievement Award to Paul Ranney of Heritage Press. In 1997, the award was presented to Frank. In 1998, Frank was asked to present the same award to Carl Motheral of Motheral Printing.

One of Frank’s greatest pleasures was hosting for 10 years an annual backyard Labor Day catered party for the owners and sales people of the DFW printers at his house. Some 275 people enjoyed food, drinks and visitation.

After the death of the long time PIA Executive Director, Nolan Moore, Frank and another member asked to prepare a four color case bound book of Nolan’s travels. (280 pages) All of the film preparation, printing and binding of this beautiful book was done at no cost by 13 DFW lithographers. It was sold and all proceeds utilized to furnish one to four year scholarships to Texas colleges. He served many years as a Trustee. Frank and his family traveled to many parts of the world with Nolan and other printers.

Later in career, Frank was asked to serve on the former Students Association at Schreiner University-Kerrville. After a number of years he received the Award as the Outstanding Former Student.

Frank, his wife June, his son Martin and his daughter Chardelle attended East Dallas Christian Church for many years where he served as a deacon. He was preceded in death by each of his children. Each worked at Proctor Press for over 25 years.

He was preceded in death by his son, Martin Proctor, his daughter Chardelle Coburn and his sister Carol Davis and her husband Bill Davis. He is survived by his son-in-law Bryant Coburn, grandson Justin and his wife Esther and their daughter Daphne and his daughter-in-law Karen Proctor and grandson Willard Frank Proctor.

Pallbearers will be Paul Ranney, L.A. Smith, Claude Ferebee, Bill Phillips and his two grandsons, Willard Frank Proctor and Justin Coburn.

Services will be at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m., with an interment with military honors immediately following. Rev. Nathan Hill of East Dallas Christian Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers, Frank requests memorials be sent to Schreiner University, 2100 Memorial Blvd., Kerrville, Texas 78028.