William George Fischer, age 84, of El Paso, Texas, passed away on May 13, 2022. He was born January 12, 1938 in Carlsbad, New Mexico to George and Angeline Fischer, and was one of 13 children. Billy, as he was known in his early years, learned the value of hard work often spending hours working the fields at the family farm in Carlsbad. At the age of 6 he could be found working alongside German POWs during the second world war. They took a liking to him helping to fill his bag of cotton, because he would often bring them something extra to eat even though his large family struggled to have food on the table during that difficult time. At the age of 17 he moved with his family to Mission, Texas to help work on the family farm there. Soon after he graduated from Mission High school. Billy was exceptionally smart and he knew he needed to further his education by attending college so he enrolled at nearby Pan American College in Edinburg Texas with the encouragement of his older siblings. Being humble by nature many that knew him did not know he would walk and hitchhike to get there often whistling while he walked. After several years he transferred to New Mexico State University to study Electrical Engineering. During his education he was in a co/op program at White Sands Missile Range to supplement his income. Upon graduating he went to officer candidate school for the Navy serving his entire Naval career with the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In the Navy he was one of the officers in charge of the nuclear codes, as well as the tracking of ships within the Pacific. In 1966 he honorably discharged and returned to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to work in many areas as an Electrical Engineer for over 50 years.
Bill, as he was known to his friends and family later in life, was active in the Catholic church. In College he rewired the Newman Center on NMSU campus. Most of his years he attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Las Cruces, NM. This is where he met his wife Marie and also where they would later be married. He ushered and volunteered where needed for decades and was always quick to lend a hand or expertise with construction for the annual ‘Fiesta’. Bill was the technical director for the annual Spanish Christmas pageant, Los Pastores. Most of the equipment and props for Los Pastores he either built or designed. Bill loved to build, improve or invent. In the early 70s he and his two oldest sons built the family’s first color TV. He was quick to lend a hand wiring a house, cabin or church and was not shy about over-engineering whatever he designed, saying if it is done right, it will last forever.
In 2010, Bill moved to El Paso, TX to be closer to his 3 grandchildren, where he was known as Papa. He was active and rarely missed any of their many games, activities and events. He took great pride in becoming one of their taxis and would insist upon picking them up from school staying with them until one of the parents came home from work. He was in the birthing suite when his first grandchild was born but later revealed that he would leave the rest up to the professionals revealing why he did not pursue medicine.
Papa’s, intelligent council, patience, kind heart, humbleness, generosity, humor, and smile will be missed by all that knew him.
William was preceded in death by his parents, George and Angeline Fischer, his brothers Raymond Fischer, Leo ‘Virgil’ Fischer, Edward ‘Buddy’ Fischer, Joseph ‘Larry’ Fischer; sisters Mary Ann Ballard, Rita Kezar, Flora ‘Jeanette’ Verhines: his wife Marie Fischer, and sons, David Fischer and Sean Fischer. He is survived by his brothers Kenneth ‘Kenny’ (Lavone) Fischer of Waverly, Iowa, John ‘Johnny’ Fischer of San Antonio, Texas, Ronald ‘David’ (Arlene) Fischer of Captain Cook, Hawaii, and sisters: Vivian ‘Geri’ (Ernie) Burrhus of Bullard Texas and Loretta Irene Fischer Sughrue, of Carlsbad, Texas; his son Mark (Deborah) of El Paso, Texas, his daughter Michelle (John) of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; his grandson Brandon Fischer of El Paso, Texas, his favorite granddaughter Lauren Fischer of El Paso, Texas, his grandson Jaden Fischer of El Paso, Texas and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The viewing will be held on June 26, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Martin Funeral Home, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912 with a Rosary service at 6:00 p.m. officiated by his nephew, Fr. Dennis Connell. The Funeral Mass will be held Monday, June 27, 2022 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 400 W. Sunset Rd., El Paso, Texas 79922, followed by the Graveside Service at 11:30 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave, Fort Bliss, Texas 79906.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Fischer family.
