William Ronald Langley

June 10, 1944 – June 15, 2018

William Ronald “Ron” Langley went to the Lord peacefully in his sleep at Baylor All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth, late in the evening on June 15, 2018. Ron was 74 years of age and had been surrounded by family and close friends during the final weeks of his life as he looked forward to moving to his new apartment in Arlington. Unfortunately his heart could not keep up with the several chronic conditions of aging that he had dealt with for many years.

Ron was born in Ennis and grew up in Ft. Worth. He served our nation for four years as a proud member of U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division, where he received his Honorable Discharge on April 27, 1965. He was a paratrooper and attained the rank of Corporal (E-4), in March 1963. His time in the Army was during the pre-Vietnam era and in recent months he was putting together notes for a book on his various deployments in Central and South America.

After the service he returned to North Texas and embarked on an entrepreneurial career that spanned a variety of industries including aviation, service stations, and golf. He was a pilot and flew aircraft for Langley Aviation, where a major element of the business was buying and selling twin-engine and small planes. He also owned several gas stations and convenience stores, including his primary location which was a Shell Station on the corner of Collins and Lamar.

Throughout his life Ron was an avid golfer where in 2007 he competed in the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship in Mesquite, Nevada. He also built and sold custom golf clubs, including a set for his young grandson Kade.

Ron had six children and stepchildren. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Connie Jo Langley, in 2016. He was also preceded in death by his children William Ronald (Ronnie) Langley II, and Tonya Davis. He is survived by his brother David Langley, daughters Teresa Langley and Magan Durand, and stepchildren Kyle McGonigal and Melissa Alexander. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jake Moore, Jerrica Davis, Seth Pierson, Dalton Pierson, Madison Coney, Logan Langley, Abigail Durand, Paul Durand III, Kade McGonigal, Cohen McGonigal, Corbin McGonigal, and one great granddaughter, Hailey Davis.

Interment with his wife Connie will be held at 9:15 am on Friday, July 6, 2018 at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery. A gathering for friends and a Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held at the Bean-Massey Burge Funeral Home (2951 S Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie) following the service, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. In recent weeks Ron had said that if he had more money he would contribute to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. In lieu of flowers the family would suggest contributions in honor of Ron to St. Jude’s or your favorite Veteran’s organization.