William Vance Noland, 85, of Clifton, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 after a valiant battle with cancer and respiratory issues.
At the request of William, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Please remember him for the special and unique person he was.
William was born in Kilgore, Texas on June 17, 1937 to Vance Desmo and Billie Bruce (Ridelhuber) Noland. After high school, William enlisted in the US Navy and joined the Submarine Service. He was very proud to have served on the USS SeaCat, SS 399. He was honorably discharged and began exploring life outside the military.
He married the love of his life, Kathryn Powers, on July 3, 1970 and was married for 52 years and 6 months.
William worked at Texas Eastman in Longview, TX, Amerada Hess in St. Croix, USVI, and Air Products in Calvert City, KY. He retired in 2000.
He developed many interests and hobbies as varied as a private pilot’s license to golf to scuba diving. He had a larger-than-life personality and he never met a stranger. People instantly took a liking to him and he made many lasting friendships.
William was selfless in his willingness to help those he found in need. He was a Master Mason of the Danville Lodge 101 in Kilgore, TX. He was a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (32°). He was also a Shriner of the Sharon Temple in Tyler, TX.
William was inducted into the Holland Club for 50+ years as a qualified submariner. He was a charter member of the Heart of Texas SubVet Base USSVI, Waco, TX. He received his Quilt of Valor in February of 2022 in Clifton, TX.
William was preceded in death by his parents and his eldest son Todd. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Noland; sons, Jay (Debra) Moore and Vance (Enidy) Noland; daughter, Kelly (Mike) White; brother, Jim (Marie) Noland; daughter-in-law, Donna Wehmeyer; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. The biggest joy he had later in life was the pleasure he felt by being with his loving family.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in his honor to: United States Submarine Veterans, Inc., Heart of Texas Base (make checks payable to here), 10018 Treeline Drive, Woodway, Texas 76712
At a later date, a private military service is being arranged by the Heart of Texas Submarine Veterans in Waco, and the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX, where his ashes will be interred.
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Bill was one of the good ones the world is a better place for having him in it.
Kathy, my love and prayers are with you and your family and loved ones at this time.
Mr Bill was an absolutely amazing man. He became a father figure for me and a grandfather figure for my children. My daughter would go over and ask Mr Bill do you have any Root Beer. Mr Bill and Mrs Kathy were and still are loved so much. The world is missing a great man.
God thank you for giving us Mr Bill for as long as we had him. We love you Mr Bill and of course we love you Mrs Kathy.
To all your children you have out heartfelt sympathy.
I have many wonderful memories of Bill from his volunteer days in Paducah, KY. Bill and Kathy were always the first to show up and the last to leave offering their help in whatever was needed. He kept me on my toes with his quick wit and humor. I don’t think he ever met a stranger and if you knew him very long they always treated you like family. He was definitely one in a million and will be a great loss to his family, friends and community!
Love,
Shannon
Kathy I’m so sorry for your loss! Bill was such a good man. And having read his obituary, he was larger than life and had his hands into so many different things! Never a boring moment I’d say! I can only imagine how much you will miss him, as seldom have I seen such a deep love as you two have!
So sorry for your loss!🙏🙏