Bill Wooten

Bill Wooten ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Welch Funeral Home on Mar. 16, 2026.Bill Wooten was born to a family that loved him on April 23, 1955 in Freeport, Texas. He was one of five siblings, having four brothers and one sister. He spent most of his life in East Texas, mostly in Longview. He went to Longview High School where he was a mean trumpet player in the Lobo Marching Band led by the notorious Mr. Kunkel. He wore the green and white uniform with pride. During high school, Bill began what would be his life-long career with Brookshire's on Alpine Road, where he spotted a lovely checker girl, Cynthia Morrow, who stole his heart. After many years living a full and healthy life filled with his family and hobbies, Bill was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2018, overcoming many health challenges over the last 8 years. He fought diligently and believed in healing, as his family did, and was able to overcome many critical prognoses due to this faith. God decided to take him on March 14, 2026, when he passed away peacefully, and with a smile on his face, after a health complication.Bill began working at Brookshire's in 1973 and remained with the company for 37 years, retiring in 2010. He started as a clean-up boy who was mostly thinking about fast cars and hunting, until his twinkling eyes spotted a cashier who he described as "the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen". A real story of love at first sight - he was smitten! He said it took a little persistence, but he was able to woo her (his daughters joke that she got "wooten-ed". Bill and Cynthia were married on February 1, 1974. For Bill, marrying Cynthia was the most important event of his entire life - he loved her with all his heart. Together they raised two daughters (Jennifer and Tiffany), traveled the country, panned for gold, hiked mountains, and so much more. While no relationship is without adversity, they never left each other's side. They recently celebrated their 52nd anniversary. Even at the time of his death, there were love songs in her honor on his Spotify play list.Loving and working hard was what Bill's life was all about. At Brookshire's he quickly moved up within the company and became Market Manager of Super 1 Foods, holding this position with great pride for the duration of his career. He won market manager of the year so many times that his family ran out of wall space to hang his plaques! Everyone was so proud of him. His work ethic and loyalty, both to the company and its people, were unmatched. Brookshire's asked him to open dozens of stores in multiple regions, and he trained many future managers who are still with the company today.In a world that rewards those who set out to climb the ladder, Bill blazed a different trail. He wasn't asked to take on more responsibility because he was boisterous or loud; on the contrary, he was a quiet man who was shy at times. But, if you spent any time at all with him, you knew he was a man of principles and action. To meet Bill was to trust him and like him - it could have been his twinkly blue eyes or his bashful smile (that often revealed a dimple or two), or it could have been the great big light shining through him that lit up the room. He was a beacon of peace and calmness. A person would meet him and share their life story within 5 minutes. He was steadfast in everything he did and no one hesitated to choose him as a boss, a colleague, or a friend.Bill's friendships were so important to him. The bonds forged during his time with Brookshire's and Super 1 Foods were life-long and continued beyond retirement. He considered everyone in his workplace brothers and sisters and integrated them with his own family. Bill loved his friends so much. The respect he had for his bosses, coworkers and colleagues was outstanding and he continuously voiced to his family how honored he was to have such friendships. These friendships now stand here for his family, even with Bill gone. That's how strong a love people had for Bill, and Bill had for them. His family considers this a wonderful blessing!Being a peacekeeper was one of Bill's superpowers. He was a kind and gentle soul. Bill could diffuse a situation with a few words. He made you feel safe and you knew you could bring either yourself or your issues to him without judgment. You could pour your concerns on him, and he would listen without interruption and consider carefully his response. Even if he disagreed, he never got loud, he never got angry. His family said they never heard him yell. He could stand firmly on his principles without getting angry, while accepting others and meeting them halfway.Bill was a man of many hobbies and interests. His favorite thing was spending time with family and going on vacations. Exploring the country - especially Colorado - with his wife and girls, and granddaughter Lauren. He loved camping, hiking, fishing, and 4wd-ing in the mountains. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends. He loved going to Texas Rangers games with his friends and daughters. He was an expert at gardening, having grown vegetables since he was a little boy. Bill also loved rocks, hunting and collecting them, knowing all the names and where to find them. He loved prospecting and finding gold. He knew so much about nature! Rocks, plants, weather...he could predict rain with 100% accuracy. His family always told him that he had a meteorologist calling!His family will miss so much about him, including his incredible baking and love of treats. He would make cookies and pies almost weekly, sometimes multiple batches per week! The detail and love he would pour into each batch of cookies was precious. His family loved his sweet creations. He knew this, which is why it delighted him so much. If he could share a sweet with someone, it would make him light up. He loved sweets! If he wasn't at home to bake, he would make sure that you had an ice cream cone or bag of candy or something that he could give to show how much he loved you.What mattered most about Bill was his faith. He demonstrated what it's like to be a Christ follower, a true Christian. He did this by bringing light and love into every situation. He carried a quiet calmness with him that eased people. He was compassionate and understanding. He accepted everyone as brothers and sisters in Christ without exception or prejudice. He was a peacekeeper and accepted people without judgment. This is what following Jesus looks like. His many friends from faith communities - particularly those from the Pine Tree Church of Christ family - were very important to him.There were times when Bill voiced concerns about not being bold or courageous enough in his faith and faulted himself for being a quiet person. He wanted to bring everyone to Jesus and was deeply concerned that he needed to be louder, more forthcoming with his faith. He didn't see that he already possessed these things. His boldness was his human compassion. His courage was testifying God's glory through his illness. His faith moved others without speaking. His actions were louder than words. His love spoke volumes. A single sentence from Bill could carry the same gravity as a full sermon. He may have been a man of few words, but his words were poignant. His family and friends watched him move mountain after mountain without him realizing it. And if pointed out, he would never take credit for doing so himself - he gave all the glory to God.God made Bill exactly how he was because God saw how his soft-spoken nature moved people. There is no telling how many people he brought to Jesus simply by being himself. Bill was the same person at home, at work, and church, and everywhere he went. He was genuine and sincere. He never gave himself credit for being as intelligent or spiritual as he really was. Intelligence is not defined by an education or a degree. Spirituality is not defined by what type and level of religious title a person carries. Bill was the embodiment of intelligence by choosing what was right for his faith, his family, and moving through life considering the impact of his actions. His spirituality was seen by the way he overcame every life challenge with the hope and confidence that only someone who truly loves and believes in Jesus could achieve.Inspiration followed where Bill went. He encouraged those going through far less than he and offered strength. His testimonies reached more people than he realized. Doctors, nursing staff, strangers in hospital lobbies that he spoke to, he reached everyone he encountered. Bill didn't know how special he was - a precious gem just like those he was so drawn to collect. His legacy is not one of material things. It is a legacy of the intangible put into action - the trail of love, hope, and faith left behind him. His family is so proud of him.Bill was preceded in death by his parents, "Shorty" and Martha; brothers, Jimmy and David; father-in-law, Cliff Morrow; sisters in law, Joyce and Joni; brother-in-law Jerry Gunby; and many beloved pets and grandpets, especially Forrest the dog and Merlin the cat. Many survive Bill and will continue to be inspired by and find comfort in his legacy, including his soulmate and wife Cynthia; daughters, Jennifer and Tiffany; son-in-law Micheal; granddaughter Lauren; siblings, Margie (spouse Joe Walker), Mark, and Danny; mother-in-law Gloria Morrow; sister-in-law Patti Gunby; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and other family members.A Life Celebration® funeral service for Bill Wooten will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20th, 2026 in the Cammack Family chapel. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation two hours prior to the service.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.