William "Bill" Leonard Havins

In Loving Memory Of William Leonard Havins February 23, 1925 ~ January 22, 2018 William Leonard Havins passed into the arms of the Lord on January 22, 2018 after a brief stay at Larry’s Lakehouse Assisted Living in Katy, Texas. He was born February 23, 1925 to Rebecca Holt Havins and Weldon Edward Havins in Wickenburg, Arizona. Bill is preceded in death by his mother and father, wife of 61 years Christine Bailey Havins, sister Patricia Havins Baldwin and niece Nancy Belden Martinez formerly from San Diego, California. He is survived by daughters Janice Havins Hamric and Steve Hamric of Katy and Debrah Havins Boerner and Bob Boerner of Boerne; grandchildren Christine Lee Halsey of Katy and Holly Brooke Boerner of Austin; great granddaughter Justice Lee Halsey of Katy; one brother, Weldon E. Havins MD and Dr. Kelly Mecham Havins of Henderson, Nevada and sister, Shirley Havins Belden and Don Belden of San Diego, California; nieces Anna Havins and Laura K. Havins of Las Vegas, Nevada, Annie Belden Jackson, Becky Belden Bauman of Ramona, California, Cheryl Baldwin Davis of San Diego, California, and Carol Belden Walsh of Lakewood, Washington; nephews Bradley S. Havins MD of Fort Mead, Maryland and Casey Baldwin of San Diego, California. A World War II Navy veteran who served on the USS Minneapolis in the Pacific, Bill was a longtime member of The First United Methodist Church of Wharton. His naval training as a radio operator served him well in his career as an agent and telegrapher with the Santa Fe Railroad for 37 years until his retirement in 1986. His love of music, reflected in his band affiliations during his youth where he played the bass guitar, expanded with his singing while playing the rhythm guitar with local fiddle aficionado, Doc Blakely and other musicians, like Mickey Reynolds, at various Wharton County venues. He also enjoyed playing in a polka band at local nursing homes. Always ready to interject a joke or humorous anecdote into the conversation, Bill wrote hymns, cowboy songs, poetry, and jokes to share with his friends and family. He was a devoted husband, father, and friend. A luncheon reception/visitation will be held noon to 2:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the Wharton First United Methodist Church, followed by at service in the sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. Internment at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.