Billy Gene Sledge

Billy Gene Sledge was called to heaven on December 10, 2018 while at home with his family in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to his passing, Bill along with his loving family and many friends spent countless hours regaling stories of his rich and fulfilling life.

Being a life-time resident of this fair city since his birth on January 05, 1931, people may remember Bill from different times in his life---perhaps as a school boy at Woodlawn Elementary, or at both Jefferson and Alamo Heights High School where he played football, or at St. Mary’s University in 1960 where he earned a BBA in marketing.

In 1951, Bill joined the Navy and proudly served aboard the destroyer, USS Chandler DD-717. Throughout his service, Bill earned several medals, including the Korean Service Medal with four bronze stars. He also acquired a lesser-known award for participating in the largest sailor pyramid while on the beach during shore leave. In recent years, he put up a brave and formidable fight in a different war against pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease caused from exposure to asbestos while aboard the Chandler.

Others knew Bill as a respectable and honorable businessman with a remarkable work ethic. A 72-hour work week was not atypical. Prior to his early retirement in 1980, Bill owned and operated ventures in automotive supplies, a full-service gasoline station in the Olmos Park area, and a communications business serving the entertainment industry. Service was Bill’s middle name---thus the company name, Sledge Service, where extraordinary requests were granted and no challenge too great.

Bill was very proud of his children, who learned from him how to be of service to their fellow man, the value of hard work, the appreciation of a good joke, dancing, and of course, fishing. Bill’s life philosophy was akin to author John Buchan’s fishing philosophy, “Knowing that your pursuit of what is elusive is attainable and that it is a perpetual series of occasions of hope.”

A devout servant in his church, Bill would pack a room with his notable lecture series on the Apostle Paul. He always found time to volunteer as a Beacon, help with fundraising, teach Sunday school and be its treasurer. His nursing home devotionals gave many people solace and hope for a beautiful life beyond. And who could ever forget his smile?

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara “Bobbie” Oney Sledge; his parents, Melton and Oliva; and his brother, Raymond. His is survived by his children, Stacy Sledge-Baldino (Vincent Baldino) and Wade Sledge (Lori Sledge); step-children Richard Oney and Gail Yurick (Larry Yurick); and seven beautiful grandchildren.

A Visitation will begin on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Sunset Funeral Home at 10:30am with a funeral service at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, a donation would be a special way to honor Bill’s love of God, family, friends, life and country. Please send to: Northern Hills United Methodist Church, 3703 N. Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX, 78247 (memo: Beacons); or to a charity of your choice.