“…what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) That scripture accurately describes the life and character of William (Bill) Saban, our beloved husband, father and friend, who died Nov. 4, 2022.
Bill was born June 30,1937, in Basin, Wyo., the second of three sons to Clyde and Vera Hill Saban. His ancestors, all farmers and ranchers, were Wyoming pioneers – the Hills from Nebraska, the Sabans from Maine and his great grandparents from Texas. (His paternal great grandfather, W.D. Whaley, got to the state in the early 1800s by driving a herd of cattle from Waxahachie, Texas to Wyoming, where he built a ranch near the Shell Mountains.) Bill laughingly claimed that his future should have included life in the White House since, like many early American presidents, he was born in a log cabin.
Bill loved family. After he moved to Texas to attend college, Bill met “his dream girl”, Virginia Chappell, of Memphis, Texas, and in 1969, they married. He loved her family, and they loved him back. At least once a year, Bill and Virginia traveled from their home in Tyler, Texas to visit relatives in the Panhandle, and for more than 40 years, they never missed the annual Chappell Reunion.
Bill and Virginia were blessed to have three “good kids,”AngelaThomas (Craig), Shana Baker (Chris) and Scott (Melissa) Saban. Bill was proud G-Pop to five “darlin’ Grands,” Daniel Thomas, Joseph and Gwendolyn Baker and Will and Stella Saban. He did not “teach” his children and grandchildren to be honest and hardworking, loyal to friends or kind to everyone and generous to all people, but he lived out those values before them, challenging them to be their own best selves.
Bill loved the Lord. His parents were life-time members of a Methodist church, and he raised his family in that denomination. He and Virginia belonged to Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler for more than 40 years, where Bill served as an usher and on the administrative board. He was a strong supporter of various Christian causes and charities.
Bill loved his country. He was proud to serve in the Air Force for 28 years, active and reserve, and retired as a Lt. Colonel. He saw war time duty in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. His patriotism and dedication to the rule of law was evidenced in his profession: 60+ years in law enforcement (Air Force Security Police) and prosecution (assistant district attorney in Smith and Rusk Counties). During his active duty in the military, Bill and his family enjoyed travel and the opportunity to meet (and keep) friends across the country and abroad.
Bill loved “book learning.” He completed high school in Basin, Wyo. and junior college in Powell, Wyo. He enrolled in the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo., but after one semester, left the cold climate to move to Denton, Texas, where he graduated from North Texas State University. He attended SMU Law School for a year but dropped out and returned to Wyoming when his father died. He later completed law school at Texas Tech University, and after a brief stint in private practice, found his calling in prosecutorial work.
He was an avid reader. He always began the day with a newspaper and ended it with bedtime reading, often having as many as four books going at one time. He self-published his own novelette, an Easter story for children, called “The Lamb’s Tale.” He loved to discuss current events or books and especially enjoyed spirited conversations about controversial subjects.
Bill loved sports. He attended junior college on a basketball scholarship and continued to play for many years in church basketball leagues. He enjoyed football and was a life-long fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
Bill loved music and expressed “the song in his heart” with one constantly on his lips. Coworkers teased him that he could never sneak up on anybody because his approach was always signaled by a whistle or a tune. He also appreciated good musical performers,especially country singers, and never missed the Oakridge Boys when they appeared in Branson, Mo.
Bill loved animals,especially “Pound Pets,” and he and Virginia rescued many. Over his lifetime, he was master of ten dogs and was servant to several cats.
What didn’t Bill like? He hated political correctness and dishonesty in any form. He could not abide gossips, was annoyed by telephone menus and found stuffed shirts (or starched shirts, for that matter) “off putting.”
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
In deepest grief for him is his loving wife, Virginia, with whom he shared a perfect partnership for 53 years. He promised he would love, cherish, and keep her forever, and he was a man of his word in that as in all things. He will also be deeply missed by his children and grandchildren and by numerous other relatives and friends.
The example of Bill’s gentle nature, ethical behavior and exemplary character is a legacy of which all can be proud.
