William George "Bill" Edwards
William George “Bill” Edwards
January 14, 1935 — May 21, 2018
William George “Bill” Edwards, 83 of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, passed away on May 21, 2018. He was born to George William and Elsie Maud (Griffis) Edwards on Jan. 14, 1935, in Newberry, Michigan.
Bill graduated from Trine University in Angola, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and spent his career working for Consumers Power Company in various locations in Michigan. After 34 years at Consumers, he retired as District Manager for Gas and Electric. He worked as manufacturing specialist consultant for Saginaw State University and as Executive Director of New Directions for Midland County Intermediate School District. Bill was a proud veteran who served in the United States Army in the United States and Italy.
Bill has spent his life actively involved in church and community organizations and exemplified the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” Over the years he has served on countless projects and in leadership positions, including president, for Kiwanis, Jaycees (JCI Senator), Great Lakes Indian Culture Association, and his children’s Parent Teacher Organization. He was active in Boy Scouts of America for 35 years and served at the local troop level, District Commissioner, Vice President of Council, Wood Badge Director, Troop Leader Training Scoutmaster and was a Silver Beaver Recipient. His Scouting legacy lives on in his sons who are Eagle Scouts, his six grandsons who are Eagle Scouts, and his granddaughter, who is a Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient.
Most recently, Bill served in Rotary International and received the Rotarian Board Member of the Year and Rotary Foundation District Service Award. He was on the Board of Directors for the Marble Falls Habitat for Humanity and was actively involved in numerous house builds, on the Board of Directors for The Church at Horseshoe Bay, on the Board of Directors for HSB Men of Faith, and a member of the HSB Woodcarvers. Bill, with his wife Edra, participated in Habitat for Humanity Jimmy Carter Projects, and they were actively involved in Volunteers in Mission and participated in missions in Russia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Alaska, Cuba, St. Martens, St. Thomas, and at the African University in Zimbabwe. They created Hill Country Missioners and led mission work in Rio Bravo, Mexico for the past 20 years. Bill loved nature and travel, and with Edra, has traveled to all 50 states, all the Canadian provinces, and has visited close to 50 countries around the world.
Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edra Faye (Gandee) Edwards of Horseshoe Bay, Texas; sons, Scott Edwards and his wife, Shirley of Jupiter, Florida, Steven Edwards and his wife, Teresa of North Richland Hills, Texas; daughter, Marcia Schumacher and her husband, Thomas of Farmington Hills, Michigan; grandchildren, Andrew Schumacher, Timothy Schumacher, Kelly Edwards, David Edwards, Samuel Edwards, Spencer Edwards, and Mitchel Edwards; brothers, F. Robert Edwards and his wife, Ginger; Jack Edwards and his wife, Idella; and numerous Canadian cousins.
He was predeceased by his siblings Melvin Edwards (Doskie), Grace Story (Sam), Bertha, and Winifred (Earl) Schwartz.
Bill’s life has been well and fully lived. He approached each day with a positive attitude, energy and enthusiasm, and had an abiding faith shared through action and service. He was always generous with both his time and his hugs. He will be truly missed, but left behind a challenge to all to carry on his work to “make a Christian difference one task at a time.”
A memorial service is planned for Thursday, May 31, at 10:30 a.m. at The Church at Horseshoe Bay, 600 Hi Ridge Road, Horseshoe Bay. The Revs. Malcolm McQueen and John Duncan will officiate. The Highland Lakes Honor Guard will render Military Honors. For those attending, we kindly request that you choose clothing other than black, or wear a shirt from an organization you shared with Bill, in honor of Bill’s life of service and his joy in life, family and friends.
For those wishing to make a donation, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to Marble Falls (Texas) Habitat for Humanity, The Church at Horseshoe Bay, Hill Country Missioners (through The Church at HSB), or Boy Scouts of America.
An online register can be found at www.PutnamCares.com. Arrangements by Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, 145 Texas Avenue, Kingsland, Texas 78639. (325)388-0008
