William Frederick Soules

  General Notes:

William Fred Soules, 93, of Waco, went to be with his Lord and Savior and loved ones Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 at Lorena Cemetery with the. Rev. Ron Albertson officiating.

Fred was a. member of Lorena United Methodist Church. Military honors will be observed.

Fred was born May 3, 1918, in Mills County, to Luther Hugh and Blanch Soules and grew up in Goldthwaite, Texas. He graduated from Goldthwaite High School in 1936 and then attended Tarleton Jr. College for three semesters. Fred went to work for an Engineering Firm in Waco where he was transferred to Bartlett to survey for R.E.A. Power Lines in the spring of 1941. It there that he met the love of his life, Sibyl Skiriner, who had just completed her freshman year at San Marcos State Technical College. It was love at first sight and they were married in Taylor, on July 26, 1941.

Fred enlisted in U.S. Navy in October of 1942 and served in the "Seabees" 34th Construction Battalion spending two years in the Pacific Theater. He was injured in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart in February of 1943. Fred was also awarded the Bronze Star for valor.

After being' discharged from the Navy in October of 1945, he returned to Bartlett where their only child, William Dallas Soules, was born Sept. 3, 1946.

In July of 1951, Fred enrolled at Texas A&M on the GI Bill and earned his degree in Civil Engineering in May of 1954. Fred, Sibyl and Dallas moved to Waco in 1956 and later Fred started a private engineering practice. His civil engineering firm represented many Texas cities in developing their infrastructures.

Fred was highly respected throughout Texas. In 1963, Fred was appointed to the State Plumbing Examiners Board by Governor John Connally. He was also highly respected for his civil engineering expertise throughout the southern border states. He was a lifetime member of the Society of Professional Engineers. He sold his company and retired in to his farm in Lorena in 1981.

Fred was a member of the Mayflower Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Republic of Texas, and The Honorary Society Tau Beta Phi.

Fred lived a long, happy, and successful life. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Sibyl Skinner Soules, his wife of 59 years; his beloved son, William Dallas Soules in 1993; brothers, Luther Hugh Soules II, Marion Edward Soules, and J.T. Soules; brother in-law, Bill Frame; and sisters-in-law, Merle, Soules and Aileen Soules.

Fred is survived by his wife, Mary Fore Soules, his five step-children and spouses, Greg and Cindy Fore of McGregor, Danny and Hazel Fore of Lorena, Cyndi and Don Macek of Arlington, John Fore of Austin, and Luther and Karla Fore of Lorena. He is also survived by seven step-grandchildren;' and four step-great -grandchildren; as well as his brother, John and spouse, Dorothy Soules, of Sundown; sister, Janet Frame of College Station; sisters-in-law, Nettie Olla Soules of Tyler, and Jean Soules of Cedartown, Ga.; and many nieces and nephews. ³

William married Sibyl Louise Skinner in 1941. (Sibyl Louise Skinner was born on 15 Nov 1923 in Bartlett, Bell County, Texas, died on 9 Nov 2000 and was buried in Lorena Cemetery, Lorena, McLennan County, Texas.)

William next married Mary Fore.