William Gary Summers

Bill was a good man with a wicked sense of humor and loved his wife, Sara, fiercely.

He is survived by his wife, Sara Summers, nieces Sarah Summers and Laura Summers, nephew William Summers, great niece Anais Robbins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Caroline Summers, his brother, Robert Summers, uncles and aunts Gary and Gladys Summers, Una Vay and William Brinkley, and John and Dorothy Chisholm.

Bill attended schools in Waco and Temple where he participated in Little League Baseball (catcher) and scouting. He graduated from Victoria High School. He was a proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. Life as a Longhorn included actively celebrating the 1969 and 1970 National Football Championships on the Drag. In addition to the football team, he followed the Longhorn baseball, basketball and volleyball teams.

His entrepreneurship was expressed through the various businesses he owned from 1975-2000. He enjoyed being a beta tester for the first Windows as well as other programs.

He served on the Board of Brackenridge Hospital for more than seven years. During this time, he was instrumental in the conception and initial development of what is now known as Travis County STAR Flight.

His pleasure driving led to many travels from Mexico to Alaska to Prince Edward Island and included an antiquated Farmall Super C at Anchor Ranch where he could often be found fishing and occasionally hunting (the last many years mostly with camera delighting in his favorite hobby, photography).

He was an avid reader of most genres. His musical interests were similarly wide ranging. He enjoyed visiting many national and state parks, watching old western movies and National Geographic programs, learning about space, especially the speed of light and dark matter. He relished really fine scotch, neat.

Bill surmounted numerous health challenges for much of his life and enjoyed confounding the medical profession. We thank the many doctors and nurses who assisted him in addressing these various challenges.

“Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann

https://allpoetry.com/Desiderata---Words-for-Life

Bill’s favorite quotation, his guiding light in life:

“There is no failure except in no longer trying.” Elbert Hubbard

A graveside memorial service at Cistern Public Cemetery will be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice Austin or HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians) in appreciation of his brother’s musical career.