William Steven Preston

The Celebration of William Preston’s life will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 4:30 pm at The Garage (http://www.spoonscafe.com/garage/index.html) a private area of Spoons Restaurant in the historic downtown square of McKinney: 100 East Louisiana Street, McKinney Texas 75069. Spoons was one of William’s favorite restaurants and so we will have a buffet of two of his favorite hot dishes, salad, bread, a tray of sandwiches and iced tea and coffee available – the restaurant has a large menu so please feel free to order anything you like if we do not have it available for you. Please come ready to CELEBRATE this truly AWESOME man who brought us all such joy with your great stories and memories of him.

William was the 3rd and last child (the baby brother) to born on March 28, 1959 in Port Huron, Michigan to William Stewart Preston and Beatrice (Duman) Preston both of St. Helen, Michigan. William was a very happy surprise to his parents, and older brother James “Jim” Preston and sister Ruth Ann Moody. He was adored by his family and had a special bond with his father until he passed in August 2008. He was always “Bill” to his immediate family.

William had a few nicknames, but most of us knew him as William or Will. Though a favorite nickname that his wife loved from some of his co-workers and was “Shaboomy”.

William graduated United Township High School in East Moline, IL and after his 6 years in the Navy he attended Colorado Aero Tech where he obtained his airframe and power plant license and graduated at the top of his class.

After his wife, the first thing you think about when you think about William Preston was “The Boys” (his sons). As William would tell you with a smile, he just could not make girls. Those boys were the very light of his life and he loved all five and had a very special bond with each one of them. Andrew Preston, 37 of Dallas, TX, Ashtin Preston, 30 (Nikki Gossett) of McKinney, TX, Dain Preston, 27 (McKenzie Preston) of Princeton, TX, Drake Preston, 22 (Alyssa Williams) of the Woodlands, TX and Colin Preston, 6 of McKinney, Texas. William also recently became a grandfather to Ashtin and Nikki’s infant son Finn. He loved to talk about each of them and how awesome they each were to him, including his new grandson.

William also proudly served in our country's United States Navy from October 1977 through October 1981 before transferring to the Naval Reserves. While serving, William earned many accolades. He was so very proud to be part of the VXE-6 Squadron (also called Antarctica Antarctic Development Squadron Six) serving in Operation Deep Freeze. William so wanted to be a pilot for the Navy, but this big man at 6’7” with a bigger heart was just way too tall to fly for our armed forces. That never deterred his love of flight or the water (more on sailboats than “stink boats”).

As many know, William was a jack of all trades; there was not much William could not do or quickly teach himself to do. He was a truly brilliant man. When he left the airlines to work for a Microsoft Certified partner William was a self-taught MCSE, he loved working with computers and was very technical. In 1999 he transitioned from the Microsoft Partner to working directly for Microsoft and loved the people he touched and the work he did for Microsoft for 15 years.

It was at Microsoft that William became best friends with his current wife, Davyion Preston of McKinney, TX. Over the years that great friendship turned into an awesome love story – they were married 10 wonderful years. William was just as wonderful a husband as he was a father and will be greatly missed by his grieving wife.

William is survived by all his sons, grandson, wife (all listed above), his sister Ruth Ann Moody of Casa Grande, AZ, his brother James “Jim” Preston (Liz) of East Moline, IL, niece Rachel McCoy (Raymond McCoy) of Casa Grande, IL, nephew Matthew Moody (Eric Pieper) of Long Beach, CA, nephew Winston Preston (Christina Preston) of Stanwood, WA, niece Melissa Preston of Port Byron, IL and numerous other cousins and family members. William was preceded in death by both his mother, Beatrice Preston and William “Stew” Preston.

Thank you for your kind words of support to William’s family and friends during this very difficult time. The family has faith that William is rejoicing with his Dad & Mom today.