Billy Joe Claborn

Billy Joe "Bill" Claborn, age 81, of Waco, passed away late Friday night, February 17, 2012 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West, with Pastor Chris Silva officiating. Burial will follow at Bold Springs Cemetery. Mr. Claborn was born June 17, 1930 in Brown County, the son of Garnett Weldon "Joe" and Pearl (Chambers) Claborn. He was a 1948 graduate of Leverett's Chapel High School in Overton. In 1956 he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Technological College. In 1957 he earned a Masters from Stanford University and a Doctorate from the University of Texas in Austin in 1970. On January 29, 1954 he was united in marriage to Nancy Ann Keele in Kilgore. Bill was a Professor of Civil Engineering at Texas Tech University in Lubbock for 27 years before retiring in 1991. He enjoyed woodworking, riding his tractor, reading, working on his computer, and helping his grandsons with projects. Bill was a member of the New Life Fellowship Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as Treasurer. He also enjoyed taking mission trips where he could use his engineering skills. Bill is preceded in death by his parents. Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife of 58 years, Nancy Claborn of Waco; three sons, Joe Claborn and wife Loradawn of Waco, Jay Claborn and wife Nancy of Matthews, NC, and Mitchell Claborn and wife Alicia of Allen; a daughter, Alison Garner and husband Robbe of Dallas; a brother, Ralph Claborn of Brunswick, GA; two sisters, Barbara Dodson of White Oak and Reba Bonner of Austin; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Orphan's Unlimited, 307 E. State Street, Eagle Lake, Texas 77434.