Bill F. Hester, born Billy Ferl Hester, passed peacefully from this life on November 29, 2016, in Houston, Texas. Bill was born in Brownwood, Texas, on November 6, 1937, the son of Nellabeth Bullion and Loy Ferl Hester. He was the eldest of four children, surviving his brothers Bobby Randall Hester of Boise, Idaho, Horton Earnest Hester of Brownwood, Texas, and sister Alice Lou Hester Inglet of Arlington, Texas.

After graduating from high school in 1956 in Eagle Pass, Texas, he attended Texas A&M University for three years as a member of the Corps and graduated with a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from Northeast Louisiana University in 1971.

In 1981, Bill began a 30-year career at Johnson Space Center in Mission Control and then worked in various positions over the years in engineering and management positions. He made many close friends there and particularly enjoyed mentoring the young people he worked with. In 2008 he was awarded the Astronauts’ Personal Achievement Award in appreciation for “professionalism, dedication, and outstanding support that greatly enhanced space flight safety and mission success.” He reluctantly retired in 2011 due to declining health.

He took care of friendships from all parts of his life, staying in touch with his Eagle Pass high school football teammates, and visiting regularly with his old A&M roommate. Lifelong friend Larry Knippa was a part of his life from the time they threw childhood paper routes in San Antonio, Texas, through retirement years watching tv football games together on weekends. Saturday mornings for 30 years were devoted to coffee with his cousin, Lou Cratus Bullion, a friend as well as cousin. He will be missed by many.

The primary focus of Bill’s life, though, was always his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, always quick with support and encouragement or a bit of advice with unconditional love for all. His grandchildren were particularly dear to him.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and by his son Brady John Hester. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joy Haynes Hester; son Tracy Don Hester and wife Linda Gordon Hester of Bellaire, Texas; three grandchildren, Carolyn Joy Hester and husband Robbert Paul Keij, of Leidschendam , The Netherlands; Jessica Lynn Hester of Los Angeles, California; and Steven Brady Hester of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by his brother Bob’s wife Angie and sons Neil and Willy Hester of Boise, Idaho, their children and grandchildren.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life at a later date and a private interment at Forest Park Cemetery--Lawndale. Tribute messages and memories of Bill’s life are welcomed at http://www.integrityfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Bill’s honor to:
Houston Hospice, http://www.houstonhospice.org
Houston Audubon http://www.houstonaudubon.org
Aids Foundation Houston http://www.aidshelp.org.

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