William "Eddie" Edward Read

Eddie leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife Kandie “K-Linn” Woodward-Read; son Doug Read and his wife Jenny (grandchildren: MacKenzie, Garrett and Cameron Read); his daughter Niccole Campbell and her husband Brent (grandchildren: Micah and husband Kaeden Long, Braeden and Peyton Campbell); stepdaughter Jenny Nutt and her husband Martin (grandchildren: Sarah Frost and her husband, William, Magen and Marty Nutt); stepdaughter, Holly O’Brien (grandson: Mason O’Brien); stepdaughter Brandi Blank (granddaughter, Cynthia Borg). Eddie is also survived by five great grandchildren: Big Willy, Will Jr., Sophia, Isabella and Ariana; his sister, Mischa Harris and her husband Don (niece and nephews: Brittany, Josh and Luke Harris); his mother-in-law, Barbara Woodward-Fawcett; and cousins who all love him very much.

Eddie meets in Heaven his parents and stepmother, Darlene Read.

Eddie graduated from Coahoma High School where he played football and other sports, and went on to achieve his bachelor’s degree in accounting at Abilene Christian University (ACU). He worked as an accountant in the very diverse fields of chemical, electronic, energy, and healthcare. Most of Eddie’s professional work life has been in healthcare finance-related work. He has served many roles within healthcare finance to include Controller, Vice President, Regional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Financial Officer Roles. He loved helping systems thrive so that communities can survive. He could see the big picture, understand the importance of each role, and knew that it would take a team approach to make an organization successful. Eddie also believed this was true in life to pull together to make a successful family and community.

Eddie loved golfing and participated in many charity tournaments. He had a workshop and, on occasion, worked on woodworking projects. He loved traveling and was passionate about being an active part of his communities. He was a member of the Lion’s Club while working in Hamilton, Texas at Hamilton General Hospital. Eddie was a Past President and Treasurer of the American Cancer Society in Corpus Christi and participated in many events for Children at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. He was also a past President of the Texas Association of Healthcare Financial Administration (TAHFA).

Eddie was a people person and it was important to him to understand the team he would work closely with as if they were family. He had many, many friends he has stayed in close contact with over the years. Eddie stood out in his professional and personal life for being a real problem-solver. If traditional solutions seemed not to work, then he searched for an out of the box one that would.

Eddie will be remembered for his intense love of family (both his personal and work families), his generosity, and compassion for everyone he met. You would always find him at his grandkids’ sporting events, dance recitals, birthday parties, and various other activities. One hospital system told him, “Your problem is, you care too much.” Eddie said, “If that’s the worst thing you have to say about me, that’s not too bad.” He had a fantastic sense of humor, the “Dad Jokes” never ended and he rubbed off on other dads, particularly his son, Doug. Eddie will be remembered for his fabulous breakfast meals he made for family (work family included) and the great conversation and fellowship during that meal. Breakfast truly was the most important meal of the day for Eddie. He wanted to start out on the right foot each day.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Coahoma Church of Christ, 311 N 2nd Street, Coahoma, Texas 79511, (432) 394-4277, Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 3 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Read family.