Allen, William (Bill) James Born - November 15, 1933 ( Fort Worth, Texas) and passed away September 25, 2008. Preceded in death by: Father William Jones Allen; mother Lois Evelyn Allen; and brother Harry Cole Allen. Survived by: wife, Shirley Faye Philbrick Allen; son William (Billy) James Allen Jr. & wife Marianne & their sons William J. Allen IV & Jaysun Kristopher Allen; daughter Teri Lynn Allen Dixon & husband Jeffery& their son Michael & daughter Emily; son Clint Thomas Allen & wife Georgia & their sons Joshua & Nicholas; daughter Julie Kay Allen Lindsey & husband Duane; sister- In-law, Mary Alecia Philbrick Schoonover & husband Carl & their son Brad & daughter Sue. With family roots west of Fort Worth in Parker County, at the age of six, Bill Allen's family moved from Fort Worth to Oak Cliff. He attended Margaret B. Henderson Elementary School, W.E. Greiner Jr. High, and Sunset High School. He excelled as an athlete in high school and as a member of the 1950 Sunset State Championship football team. As a pitcher in baseball he pitched several one and two hitters. Although Bill and Shirley met in junior high, they began dating their first year in high school where they quickly became "an item." Turning down several opportunities to play college sports and potentially playing professional baseball, Bill chose to marry his high school sweet heart Shirley staying in Oak Cliff and working as a contractor. In contracting, Bill ultimately found his niche in insurance contracting where he built a company working with insurance companies and insurance policy holders. He was an active member of Tyler St. United Methodist Church for 58 years and a charter member of the Lake Tawakoni Bass Club since 1965. Bill understood his greatest achievement in life was a close family that loved one another and loved God. He was known for his quick wit and great sense of humor. Bill often created humor around him as he used his deep Texas country accent to create his own version of the English language. He will be greatly missed by his large extended family. Visitation will be 4-6:00PM Sunday September 28th Laurel Land Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Monday September 29th at the Tyler St. United Methodist Church, 927 West Tenth St. Graveside service to follow at the Laurel Land Memorial Park. Rev. Chris Allen and Rev. Billy Allen will be officiating the funeral service. Memorial gifts can be given to the Tyler St. United Methodist Church or Tyler St. Christian Academy.

Published by Dallas Morning News on Sep. 28, 2008.