GLADEWATER MEMORIAL PARK - UPSHUR COUNTY		


Services for William V. "Bill" Best, 84, of Gladewater, will be held on Friday, March 8, 2013, at 10 A.M. at the First Baptist Church, with Reverend Welton Jones and Reverend Bailey Harris officiating. Burial will be in Gladewater Memorial Park.

Bill Best went home to Heaven on March 4, 2013. Many knew him as a friend, as a co-worker at Eastman, or as a role model. We knew him as a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, as our beloved "Dandy Bill."

He was born on January 22, 1929 on the AB Berry Lease in Snow Hill, Arkansas. His family moved to East Texas when he was fourteen. He graduated from Gladewater High School and attended Kilgore Jr. College before entering the U. S. Navy.

In 1948 Bill met the love of his life, Kathryn Wendell. He enjoyed telling us that he was smitten with her the first time he saw her and he remained smitten with her the rest of his life. In December 2012, they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Their love was an inspiration and an example to all who knew them.

Bill was a Christian who lived his life to glorify and bring honor to his Savior. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Gladewater for over 60 years, serving as a deacon and a dedicated choir member. He especially enjoyed witnessing to young people at their Family Life Center.

Bill loved music! He was known to break out in song in a bank lobby, at the post office, or in a restaurant, but most of all he enjoyed harmonizing with his wife. Whether it was special music for a worship service, a wedding, a funeral or just sitting in their living room, they loved to sing together. No two voices ever blended better.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Elizabeth Best; brothers, Earl Jr. and Vernon, and sisters Dot and Jean.

He is survived by his devoted wife Kathryn, his son Steven and wife Patty, whom he proudly called his "daughter-in-love", his son Shane and wife Cindy; grandchildren Josh and wife Robin, Caleb, Benjamin, Michael, Andrew, Blake and fiancée' Jennifer, Ashleigh and husband Ryan, and Tyler, with whom he shared a special bond; great-grandchildren Joel, Jacob and Madyson. Mady was a special joy and blessing to her Dandy Bill during the last year. He is also survived by sister, Bennie McDowell; sister-in-law, Ann Best; and many loving nieces and nephews, along with his extended family who cared for Dad so lovingly this past year, Stacy, Bettye, and Barbara, and Linda Dugan who always seemed to know just what he was hungry for.

Although we will miss him greatly, we rejoice in the assurance of his salvation and know that he is singing in the Heavenly choir forevermore.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater.