William G. Lear

A memorial service celebrating the life of William George "Bill" Lear, 78, of Longview will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 12 pm at Greggton United Methodist Church, 1101 Pine Tree Road in Longview. A burial service will be held in his hometown of Anthony, Kansas on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 10 am. Our beloved husband, father, papaw and friend left us on June 16, 2010 surrounded with our love. Bill was always a Kansas farm boy at heart. He was born in Harper County Kansas to Chester and Reba Lear on March 30, 1932. He learned to work the land and the value of a hard day's work from the very start and he drew from that early knowledge throughout his entire life. He met his sweetheart Winifred "Freddie" Morton in grade school and they have been together ever since. He graduated from Anthony High School where he was a standout football player which was made even more special since he had overcame polio as a child that had left him with a crippled leg. After high school he went to serve his country during the Korean War in the US Army. He then returned home to marry Freddie and they moved to Wichita, Kansas where they had two daughters, Becki Lear Vickery and Jody Lear. During this time, Bill worked as a farmer, a bread delivery man, and at Cessna building airplanes. He was pretty much a "Jack of all Trades", but Bill always wanted more out of life. So he and Freddie decided to start their own business. And on a dime, a prayer, and with an old wheat truck, they moved to Longview, TX and opened their first Sonic Drive In. And subsequently, through much hard work and steadfast dedication, working side by side, Bill and Freddie opened and managed new Sonics all across East Texas. Bill was a generous man with his success and not only wanted more for himself and his family but also for everyone around him. He helped and mentored too many to count along the way both in business and in life. He was always there with a helping hand, good advice, or a kick in the butt if that was what was needed. Bill also gave graciously back to the community that had helped with his success. His gift to the city of Longview has opened new parks and given our youth a place to practice and play. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend and if one ever stopped him to talk, you were going to hear about his grandchildren, but he would want to know all about you as well. He will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jack Lear; and his sister, Joan Eye. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Freddie; daughters Jody Lear McKinney and Becki Vickery Longview; grandchildren, Aaron Nadeau and husband, Greg Dallas, Morgan Vickery Dallas, and Travis Vickery Longview; and sister, Cathy Coady and husband, Mike Kansas; and countless other family members and dear friends. Pallbearers will be Travis Vickery, Thomas Norris, Mark Sands, Steve Sands, Pat Lear, Kevin Lear, Jason Lear and Donald Fitch. Honorary pallbearers will be Dick Lear, Charlie Lear, Merlin Reiser, Randy Morse, Joe McKibbin, J.E. Reed, Jerry Jones, Tom Sweeney and James Baughman. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parks and Leisure Services Foundation, P.O. Box 2761, Longview, Texas 75606-2761 or another charity of your choice. A dedicated account at Parks and Leisure will be established to guarantee that all donations are used for the purpose intended, improvement to W.G. "Bill" Lear Park.

William G. Lear

March 30, 1932 - June 16, 2010