Billy Gene Farrow

Lt. Col. Billy Gene Farrow of San Antonio, Texas passed away on February 20, 2019 at age 88. Bill was born on April 5, 1930 in Itasca, Texas to Sadie Pauline (Laflin) Farrow and Earl David Harrison Farrow.

Bill graduated from Itasca High School in 1947 and was class vice president. Bill loved his home town of Itasca and was an avid supporter of the Paw Print Press and First Presbyterian Church of Itasca.

He went on to Austin College in Sherman Texas and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1951. In addition to attending Austin College he joined the Navy Reserves for four years from Jan 1948 to Jan 1952. While at Austin College he was freshman president of Slime Association, President of his Junior Class and in charge of getting a live kangaroo mascot and Phi Sigma Alpha National Honors Society. Upon graduation he moved to Dallas to work at a department store. He had previously taken a test for the Air Force and had passed. His father called him up and told him if he wanted to join the Air Force he needs to go sign up because his number was going to come up (for the draft).

Even though this was during the Korean War time frame, he was stationed in England and never saw action in Korea. He received his radar observer training commission and then went on to pilot training. He received his wings at Bryan Air Force Base in 1954. He was stationed in faraway places such as England, Germany, Tripoli, and Vietnam.

While not in active duty he served in Air National Guard in New Jersey. He was called back to active duty two more times, one for the Berlin Crisis and the other for Vietnam where he flew 222 combat missions. He was awarded the following medal/citations: Air Force Longevity Service Award/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; Air Medal; Armed Forces Reserved Medal/Bronze Hour Glass; Combat Readiness Medal/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross; National Defense Service Medal/ 1 Brass Star; Presidential Unit Citation; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; Vietnam Service Medal/ 2 Brass Stars. His ending rank was Lieutenant Colonel.

He loved talking to people and this was evident in his many years in the department store industry. His first job out of college was working at Titche-Goettinger department store in Dallas, TX. In Pennsylvania, he worked at Pomeroy’s as a buyer, merchandise manager, and general store manager. In Ohio, he worked for Mabley and Carew department store as a general store manager. Then in San Antonio he worked for Liberty House department stores as a general store manager. He moved over to Joske’s of Texas as a general store manager and operations manager in both San Antonio and El Paso. He decided to buy Emerald Florist and run it for a short while, and then went on to manage the store in USAA. He tried to retire but became bored after a while and became a courier at the local Wells Fargo Bank and later became a census taker for the National Census Bureau.

He loved God, his wife, family and pets (in that order). He was a staunch Presbyterian and loved the Presbyterian Church. While living at Canyon Lake, he was an Elder in the church. He could talk to anyone about anything; he never met a stranger. Family history was important to him and he was proud of the role his family played in bringing electricity to the rural areas of his home town of Itasca, Texas. Bill was an avid golfer, until his knees would no longer allow him to golf. In addition to golf, Bill was a huge Spurs fan and football fan. There were many a Thanksgiving dinner he required the TV be turned on so he could keep an eye on the football game.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, John Earl Farrow; parents Earl David and Pauline Farrow; wife Sue A Farrow; and a multitude of pets.

He is survived by Son, Devon Farrow (wife Sandra Farrow) and six grandchildren- Drew, Lauren, Maelle, Ethan, Trevor and Ava; step-son, David Williams (wife Lori) and children; step-son, Mark Williams (wife Carol).

Memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church on April 12, 2019 at 10:00am. Followed by interment of cremains service at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in memory of Billy G Farrow to First Presbyterian Church of Itasca, 106 N Lamar St, Itasca, Texas 76055.