William Billy Uptmor, Sr.

William R. "Billy" Uptmor, Sr., age 72, of Tours, passed away late Sunday afternoon, August 12, 2018 at Providence Hospital in Waco. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 17, 2018 at St. Martins Catholic Church in Tours, with Rev. Walter Dhanwar and Msgr. Isidore Rozycki as celebrants. Burial will follow at St. Martins Cemetery. Billy was born September 17, 1945 in Tours, the son of Fred and Annie (Schroeder) Uptmor. He attended St. Martin's School and West High School. On June 3, 1967 he was united in marriage to Beverly Middleton in Tours. Billy worked for C-Line in Waco for over 20 years. He previously worked for Rangaire, Pure Milk Company, MCI and Brown & Root. He was a lifelong member of St. Martin's Catholic Church in Tours. Billy was also a member of the Waco Musician's Association, SPJST Lodge #6 in Cottonwood and The Catholic Life Association. He enjoyed fishing, tending to his cows, hunting, riding horses, bull riding, rodeos and most especially spending time with his grandchildren. He loved music and was a member of the John Griffin & The Heart of Texas Boys Band and later formed the Billy Uptmor and the Makers Band. He was well known for his rendition of George Jones' "White Lightning". Billy is preceded in death by his parents; a son, William R. "Buck" Uptmor Jr.; and brothers, Maurice, Freddie, Norman and Ambrose Uptmor. Survivors include his beloved wife of 51 years, Beverly Uptmor; his children, Brian Uptmor and wife Kristina, and Bethany Uptmor Raines; a daughter-in-law, Arcy Uptmor; brothers, Aubrey Uptmor, and Laurel Uptmor and wife Shirley; sisters, Clara Grones, Jancie Altus, and Betty Svrcek and husband Raymond; grandchildren, Hunter, Trevor, Dusty, Whitney, Jeremy, Laison, Maddison, Zander and Gavin; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Brian Uptmor, Hunter Uptmor, Trevor Uptmor, Matthew Marek, Donnie Grones, Ronnie Grones, Daniel Uptmor and Raymond Svrcek. Honorary pallbearers are grandchildren, Dusty, Zander, Gavin, Jeremy, and Whitney. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Martin's Cemetery Association.