Billy Burben Wylie

Billy was born at home, in Pine Hill, Texas, on October 3rd, 1926, the youngest of ten children. He absolutely adored his family. Billy was, by his own admission, a little spoiled by being the baby of the family. Billy worked on the family farm, which sustained all of them through the Great Depression.

Billy attended Chapman School, a one-room schoolhouse, until he went to Henderson High School. Although he stayed out for a year to see if he would make a good farmer, his sisters went to Papa Wylie and told him that Billy should go back to school. He did, but after graduation went into the service during WWII. Initially he served in the Merchant Marines, from 1944-1945, and then in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theatre, being in Guam and Japan after the war ended until returning home in 1946. Billy attended Kilgore College and the University of Texas at Austin, studying hard and obtaining a B.S. Chemistry degree. He worked for DuPont in Orange, Texas before returning to U.T. for a B.S. Pharmacy degree, graduating in 1955. He was a retail pharmacist for White's Pharmacy in downtown Austin for seven years before starting with the University of Texas College of Pharmacy and Student Health Center, after which he earned an M.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

Billy met his future wife Wanda in January of 1950 and they married June 3rd, 1950. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 3rd, 2010, prior to Wanda's death in March of 2011. They had two children, Clare Wylie, and Kenton Wylie, who both chose pharmacy as a profession, inspired by Billy's career choice.

A near-photographic memory and a strong desire to learn, along with an excellent ability to convey information made Billy a truly great teacher. He instructed pharmacy students at The University of Texas College of Pharmacy for thirty-three years, teaching pharmacy practice and pharmacy law. He was also the director at the Student Health Center pharmacy for many years. Every single pharmacy student took his class, meaning that well over 3000 pharmacists learned pharmacy practice skills under his tutelage. He was kind and caring to his students, and mentored many of them as well as his own two children. Because of Billy's commitment to and passion for education, learning, and pharmacy, his family has established the Billy B. Wylie Scholarship in Pharmacy, so that his legacy to our chosen profession may continue by helping future pharmacy students.

Personally, Billy was an incredibly congenial, outgoing and social person. He loved to talk to people, to listen, and to share stories. After his beloved wife Wanda's death in 2011, he moved to assisted living at Emeritus at Spicewood Springs. He was happy for his two years there, playing bridge, attending activities, and enjoying the company of staff and the many new friends he made. Our special thanks go to James McDade, whose extraordinary caregiving and friendship the last two years allowed Billy to remain independent.

Billy is survived by daughter Clare Wylie Holley and son-in-law Edwin Holley of Austin, son Kenton Wylie and daughter-in-law Margot of San Antonio, grandchildren William and Daryl Wylie and Chasity Delgado of San Antonio, beloved sister Dorothy Watson of San Antonio, brother-in-law Ray D. Robertson of Austin, brother-in-law John Dudgeon and wife Jane of Cedar Park; nieces and nephews: (Hugh) Bob Wylie and wife Gay Nell, Stan Wylie and Susan, Diane Wylie Smith, Elizabeth Moore and husband Jerry, Sue Strong Hughes and husband Joe, Don Shumate and wife Lorene, Charles Shumate and wife Lois, Steve Holt and wife Susan, Mary Holt and husband William "Bill" Snider, Ted Ping and wife Pat, Tony Ping and wife Mary Beth, Tim Ping, Scott Watson and wife Cheryl, Joe Johnson, Ben Cadenhead, Donna Shumate, Linda Ewan and husband Robert, (Patrick) Hardy Dudgeon of Leander, John J. Dudgeon and wife Karen, Alice Reynolds, forty-four grandnieces and grand nephews, and twenty-six great-grand nieces and great-grand nephews.

Billy was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Robertson Wylie, parents, Nellie (Anderson) and William Ross Wylie, eight sisters and brothers and their spouses: Ross Wylie, Robert and Anna Lou Wylie, Otis and Opal Wylie, Cora and Chester Duran, Mamie and (William) Mozel Strong, Janie and Fred Shumate, Ouida and Grady Holt, Grace and Harmon Ping, and Walter Ray Watson; two nieces, Jo Nan Johnson and Kay Strong Cadenhead, nephew (Fred) Terry Shumate, grandnephew, Jay Johnson, and sister-in-law Betty Roberston Dudgeon.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd, from 5-7 PM at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home, 1414 South Main Street, Henderson, Texas.

Graveside services, officiated by nephew Bob Wylie and grandnephew Stacy Wylie, will be held on Wednesday, April 3rd, 10AM at Bridges Cemetery (US-79 eastbound, right on FM 348, approx. 1 mile on the right.)

A memorial service celebrating Billy's life will be held on Wednesday, April 10th, at 3 PM in the Sanctuary at University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX 78704. Parking is reserved for the service at the Platinum Parking Lot across the street, 25th & Guadalupe.

Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish, Austin, Texas and Crawford-A. Crim, Henderson, Texas

Billy's family would welcome contributions in any amount to the Billy B. Wylie Scholarship in Pharmacy at The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy. Gifts may be mailed to Susan Brown, Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, 2409 University Avenue, Austin, Texas 78712, [email protected]