William James Fairbanks

William James Fairbanks (Jim) was born in Hastings, PA on May 3, 1923, to Kathryn Luella Lear Fairbanks and James Eugene Fairbanks. He died on September 16, 2021 at 98 years of age in a northwest Houston nursing home, Villa Toscana at Cypress Woods. Jim was a loving father and husband to Sarah Kathyaleen Hill Fairbanks (Sally), his wife of 67 years, who predeceased him on January 25, 2013. The oldest of 11 siblings, Jim will be remembered for his inner strength and practical advice that friends and family long relied on. An Electrical Engineer with Shell Oil Company, most recently in Midland, Texas, he loved music, and periodically would bring out his well-maintained coronet to practice march music he kept with other important papers. He and Sally later retired to their dream home in Tyler, Texas where they maintained close friendships with family and friends while Jim pursued his love of teaching as an instructor at Tyler Junior College. Jim was diagnosed with dementia in 2010 and relocated to Houston after the loss of Sally. He maintained an inner strength and practical optimism through every challenge. He is survived by two sisters and a brother, Eleanor Larue Fairbanks, Norma Jean Fairbanks, and David Lee Fairbanks all residing in Warren, Ohio; three children, Barry James Fairbanks residing in Spring, Texas, Richard Wayne Fairbanks residing in Equinunk, Pennsylvania, and Barbara Lynn Fairbanks residing in Boise, Idaho; two granddaughters, Jodell Renee Fairbanks Ward residing in Medina, Ohio and Jillian Marie Fairbanks residing in Las Vegas, Nevada; and great grandchildren William and Emily Ward of Medina, Ohio and Cheraw, South Carolina respectively. The family would like to express their gratitude to Jim’s wonderful caregivers at Villa Toscana of Cypress Woods. A private memorial service is planned in Tyler, Texas later as schedules allow.