William Thomas Ridener

William Thomas “Bill” Ridener, 87, of Pflugerville, Texas, died peacefully at Beacon Hospice in Round Rock, with his beloved wife Carla by his side on August 17, 2026, in Round Rock. He was born on July 23, 1939, in Ennis, Texas.

As a little boy, his family went through very difficult times and his father who was then serving in the Merchant Marines had to place Bill and his younger siblings in Odd Fellow and Rebekah Children’s Home in Corsicana, Texas. Bill later said those years during 1947-1957 were best experiences he had as growing boy. The Children’s Home was like a large hard-working farm family on 200 acres with a dairy, a large fishing pond, and woods. One of many friends was Freddy Slawson who was son of the owner of Wolf Brand Chili (per Bill’s statement).

Bill lived a life shaped by service, hard work, and the steady enjoyment of the world around him. He was educated at Corsicana High School in Corsicana, Texas, and later attended East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. After graduation, he was high school teacher in industrial arts in Rockwall, TX. He married Julia A. Thigpen, before joining the Air Force.

He served in the United States Air Force for 11 years and attained the rank of Captain. His military service took him to several duty stations, including Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas; Kessler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi; Kadena Air Base in Okinawa; and Sheppard AFB in in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Possibly the most important chapter of his career as Air Force officer was during his time in Kadena AB as the squadron commander in the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing. In 1968 the North Koreans captured the Pueblo with 21 men abroad. Capt. Ridener was one of the men selected by the Wing Commander to go TDY on the mission called Operation Combat Fox to Oson AB in South Korea. Though his job was small, he played a part in putting pressure on the North Koreans to release 21 sailors. He, along with others, never got any commendations for their efforts in that Pueblo incident.

It was at Sheppard Air Force Base, he met Carla, who worked in the same squadron he commanded. There, they fell in love and married, beginning a shared life of 56 years that remained central to his story.

Bill is remembered by his wife, Carla S. Ridener; his son, Michael D. Ridener; his daughter, Sharon G. Edsall; his grandson, Logan Edsall; his granddaughter, Siarra Edsall; and his brother, Donald L. Ridener. He was preceded in death by his father, Claude T. Ridener; his mother, Nannie Belle Ridener; and his sisters, Leta Faye Ridener and Shirley Ann Ridener.

Beyond his years of military service and teaching, Bill found lasting satisfaction in the work of his hands and in the simple, meaningful routines of home. He enjoyed gardening and raising chickens, rabbits, and goats. He also took great interest in carpentry and woodworking, building storage sheds, decks, and fences. Whether he was working on a project of his own or helping others with various projects, he was consistently drawn to useful, tangible work.

The outdoors held a special place in his life. He loved nature and enjoyed fishing and hunting, as well as quietly observing birds, squirrels, and rabbits. He also took pleasure in looking up at the moon and stars with Carla, a simple pastime that reflected one of the many ways they shared life together. These moments, like many others, were part of the fabric of his days and remain part of how he will be remembered.

Bill’s interests were wide-ranging and personal. He enjoyed and taught scuba diving, combining skill and enthusiasm in a pastime he clearly valued. At home, he enjoyed listening to country music, especially songs by Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Johnny Cash, and others. He also liked watching nature shows, golf and football games on television. In another meaningful expression of his pride in Carla, he liked to show off her artworks. He often quoted his favorite poem by William Wordsworth, “The Rainbow.”

Taken together, these details form the portrait of a man who valued both activity and attentiveness: military service and family life, craftsmanship and the outdoors, music and shared evenings under the night sky. His life included service to his country, devotion to practical work, and enjoyment of the people and pursuits that mattered to him most.

William Thomas “Bill” Ridener will be remembered for his stories with respect and affection by those who knew him.

Memorial services are currently pending.

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