Bill was born in Ardmore, Carter County Oklahoma on July 13, 1929, to Frank Wycoff and Helen Hurley Colburn both of whom, together with his sister, Edna D. "Dee Dee" Colburn Ivers, preceded him in death. He attended public schools in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Beaumont, Texas, graduating from high school at Kemper Military School in Boonville, MO in 1946. He enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1948, separated from the U. S. Air Force in 1952 and enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin. He received his business and law degrees from the University in 1954 and 1956, respectively.
Throughout his career, his primary field of interest was governmental law. He was employed as an Assistant Attorney General of Texas and Senior Assistant City Attorney of the City of Houston. In 1974 he joined the Port of Houston Authority, where he served as Counsel, Director of Administration, Director of Economic Development and General Counsel. He retired from that organization after nearly 22 years of service.
On December 27, 1952 he and his beloved wife, Mary Ann Vickers, who also preceded him in death, were married at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Houston. They then took up residence in Austin while he completed his education at the University of Texas.
Bill is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Lee and Jackie Colburn of Monument, Colorado, son and daughter-in-law Ryan and Laurie Colburn of Houston; grandchildren Katelyn Colburn Thompson, Leah Colburn, Matthew Colburn Montgomery, Daniel Colburn, and Allison Colburn; and great granddaughter Anna Thompson.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in Bill's name to:
The Foundry United Methodist Church at FoundryChurch.org or
Checks can be mailed to the church business office at:
Foundry UMC
8350 Jones Rd.
Houston, TX 77065
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