After a short but fierce battle with lung cancer, Bill Pack of Robinson passed away at his home surrounded by loved ones on November 10. A celebration of his life will be held at 3PM Thursday, November 13 at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Micheal Moore officiating. There will be a graveside burial at Robinson Cemetery following. Visitation will be 6-8PM Wednesday, November 12 at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco.
Bill was born December 21, 1955 to William Pack, Sr. and Joyce Cantrell Pack in Waco. Bill grew up in China Spring and the area remained close to his heart. He married Vickie Dodd, the love of his life, in April 1985. He was a graduate of China Spring High School, McLennan Community College, and Masters International University.
He worked in the radio industry under the name Les Parker for three decades. Listeners around Central Texas were both entertained and comforted by his booming voice and on-air presence. For the past few years, he joyfully served the parishioners of Downsville Baptist Church as their minister and as Chaplain for the Downsville Volunteer Fire Department. A man of many talents, he pursued gardening, photography, history, and running with equal zest. Bill was the kind of person that made lifelong friends waiting in line at the grocery store.
Bill is preceded in death by his father, William L. Pack, Sr.; mother and father-in-law Jimmie and Patricia Dodd; and nephew Jeffrey Jones.
He is survived by wife Vickie of Robinson; son Geoffrey Pack and his fiance Jessica Bell of Dallas; daughter Erin Pack-Jordan and her husband Jason Jordan of Salt Lake City, Utah; mother Joyce Pack of China Spring; sister Tommie Pack of China Spring; sister June Ward and her husband Eddie of Chalk Bluff; sister-in-law Tracie Dodd and her husband Bill Hayes of Speegleville; many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and relatives; his beloved dog Daphne; and too many friends to count. He was excited to be a first-time grandpa in March 2015.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the FBC Downsville Building Fund.
Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.
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Bill, my favorite other Uncle is a great man that will be missed. I loved listening to him on the radio and was proud to say that I know him. He always had a presence that drew you to him and a love for his family, faith and music that is unwavering. We love ya’ll and if you need anything at all please let us know. Much love and prayers for ya’ll always.
Love,
Carl, Ophelia (Bird) Downing and Colby & Caden
Vickie & the Pack family, please know that you all have been in my prayers for some time now & will continue to be in the time ahead. Bill was like a big brother to me; Tommie & June, like sisters; as we were over at each others’ house playing as kids. Joyce & Bill Sr. were my 2nd set of parents growing up. Good times & great memories. Vickie, you & your children were the light of Bill’s life. He was very proud of his family. May God & your wonderful memories of him bring you comfort. Love y’all 🙂
Dear Vicki,
Please know that our prayers are with you, Erin and Geoffrey.
Love,
Greg and Roxann
Our Love, Thoughts and Prayers are with everyone that was blessed to know Bill. He was a great man that will be truly missed by all the ones he touched.
Dear Pack family,
I’m praying God hold you and wrap his arms around you during this difficult time, I pray beautiful memories fill your broken heart. We love your family and want you to know you will be in our continued prayers. Bill had so many gifts and shared them all with us, says alot about him and the support he had from his family. I will always have fond memories and remember how he was always willing to reach out and offer his help. He always asked how Wesley and Presley were doing and I know he cared.
Love Mark, Mary, Wesley and Presley Tepe
Bill was a wonderful man who touched so many. I know Bill loved Radio but it was God,family and his Church that truly made him happy. Bill was a great brother in law and I always appreciated his kindness and quick wit . Bill will be missed by anyone who ever met him. I can never thank him enough for the words of encouragement and ministering he did for our daughter the last time I saw him. Vicky Aaron and Jeff you all were truely blessed to have had all of these wonderful years with Bill.
The last time we saw Bill before Vicky came home all he did was talk about his family and how muched he loved them and how proud he was of all of you.
Bill rest in peace you deserve it.
Dearest Vicki and family, please know that our prayers continue to be with each of you in your sorrow at this time over Bill’s sweet arrival and reward in Heaven where he was met by Jesus with open arms and angels singing his favorite hymn…and ….with all of our family and loved one cheering his arrival….and in joy of no more earthly health suffering of the cancer. As you already know and can blessed to treasure…that God blessed us all with Bill’s awesome heart of love…laughter…voice and reflection of Christ Himself….in his daily living to and with us and the world around him. He was this way from childhood to heaven…. and now, we want YOU to know we are here to support each of you any way that we can…and the best way that we know of right now is to Pray for your sweet….and most deserved….peace, comfort and enjoyment of letting others help you through these trying days….as Bill looks down from Heaven and… hugs you constantly…even when no one else knows or sees.
Love you, praying…. Gloria & Jim Helleson
The Master has called home one of His finest. We are going to miss our “Bestie”. Vickie, Erin and Geoffrey, I pray that the good Lord will comfort you and give you peace in the coming days and months as only He can. Vickie, You and Bill have always been an inspiration and a blessing to us and hold a very special place in our hearts and always will. Lifting you all up in our prayers.
Love you,
Skip and Kathy
Vicki , Erin & Geoffrey
Our prayers are with you all. Bill was an amazing, Christian man who will be missed by so many. Our hearts breaks for you. We know he is rejoicing in Heaven.
Love,
Larry & Deeleane
To all of Bill’s family,
I have known Bill almost all of my life . Well since 2nd grade I think which was a long time ago. I just want to tell all of you how he saved my life and I am a better person for it.
I lost my daughter as some of you know in 2008 . I was so angry and I didn’t understand why God would take my sweet daughter at 17 before me. I hated everyone and everything. It was not till about 3 years ago when I befriended Bill on Facebook and we were talking and I explained to him what I was going through . He made me realize that it was not God that took her from me that she was only on loan to me that we all really belong to the Lord and we need to cherish the time we have with each other while we are here on earth. So because of that I learn to deal with my daughters death and be a better mother and friend to the rest of my children , family and friends . So Thank you Bill for being the wonderful man you are . Even though Bill will be missed by so many people God truly has an Angel to work for him .
To all of Bro. Bill’s family, what a special man! Athlete, musician, salesman, radio personality, but most of all, Man of God. All of us that grew up with Bill new that the Ministry is where he would wind up. God was always such an important part of his life. I will miss that booming voice, whether over the airwaves, or up close and personal. I will remember his pounding out rhythm on an acoustic guitar, but most of all I will remember that I never once saw him angry or in a bad mood. He always had time to visit, and had that uncanny ability to make you feel like you were the only person in the room. I am so glad that I was able to stay in contact with Bill, as his positive attitude, even in the last few weeks, was a blessing to me. His love of God is best witnessed in his congregation at Downsville, as I was fortunate enough to meet them recently. Their love for him is without a doubt a result of the love he has for them. His strength and tenacity will help you all through the days ahead. Know that there is no greater love than a Father’s love, and Bill filled that bill to the brim. We will be praying for you and thinking of you in the times to come, and know that whatever I might be able to do for you is just a call away.
Vickie and family……….. so sorry for your loss. Bill never passed by me that he didn’t smile and say hello……. very sweet man. I know he will be greatly missed…. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family……
My thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of the Pack family members. May your wonderful memories carry you through this time of loss.
My first memories of Bill and his family were when both our families lived in Bosqueville down by the Brazos river. We sure had some good times. Bill was pretty much the first friend I ever had. Later on, both our familes moved to China Spring where we went to school. Bill, my brothers and I got involved in football and had some great times…. I remember one time we were playing this one school that had an enormous fullback. As they gave him the ball, I was on my way toward him. I tripped and fell right at his feet.. The only thing I could do was wrap my arms around his ankles. Bout that time Bill came along and plastered the poor fella all the way down to the ground… Bill told me, “Thanks for standing him up for me!” I told Bill I was just trying to keep him from trampling me into the ground….lol….We sure had some great times. I wouldn’t have traded them for money or gold…. My condolences to the entire Pack family…..Smile for Bill ever now and then because he is in a far better place, and you can bet he is smiling at you… Love Quintin.
Vickie, You have been in my thoughts and prayers continually. I’m so sorry for your loss and this difficult time. I am out of the country until Sunday, but please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
To Vickie, Family, and many, many friends. Even though we never met Bill, we feel through GOD that we know him. We are very sorry to see/read of his passing. May GOD be with all of you at this time. We Celebrate his life, Mourn his passing, and Rejoice that he has made it to Heaven. May GOD give each of you comfort, strength, and peace at this time. Again GOD bless. In Christian Love, Ronny/Janet Bredemeyer
We all suffer at the loss of a great man! But now he knows eternal joy in which we will see him again! We love and will miss you Bill and will be praying for you Vickie, Erin, and Geoffry! Love, Ken, Janie, Justin, and Julie Crowder
Lord please bless this family. Bill and I played baseball together at Northern LIttle Leauge with Dan’s Dairy Queen. He was our catcher. We won the championship that year 13-14 age bracket. I was glad to have know him. RIP Charles Pierce
So sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. I knew Bill from HS and remember how handsome he was and what a great athlete . My deepest sympathy to all his family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of a Great Man, Bill Pack.
Vickie – I am so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure to get to meet and know your husband in the brief time that I did. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Joyce,Tommie and June and family,I am so sorry for your loss Bill was a sweet and wonderful man.Bill will be missed dearly.I remembered when we played softball and he helped his dad coach us.He is now your Guardian Angel.God Bless all of you.
“Les” was one of the best men I have ever known. He had a significant impact on my life and I will forever cherish my time with him. From our adventures together in broadcasting to uniting together in Christian fellowship, his thoughtless generosity and sage wisdom made me the person I am today. God bless him and all of those he so deeply touched. The world is a much better place because of the brief time he lived in it. You will be greatly missed, my dear old friend!
To All The Pack Family: MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. BILLS LIFE WILL CARRY ON AS HE TOUCHED THE LIFE OF SO MANY. I KNOW HE DID AT CSHS. MAY GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY IN THEIR TIME OF SORROW.
Literally thousands of students have enrolled in our institution. If I had to select the one that has stood out among all the rest, it would be Pastor Bill Pack. He exemplified love of God, dedication to learning, unfailing commitment, dogged determination, and practical scholarship. He has made all who know him richer. I say “know him,” because he still is, and is awaiting us in heaven.
Vickie, may you, your children, grandchild, extended family and church family be comforted by the certainty of your reunion in the city four square (Revelation 21:16).
Dennis D. Frey, Th.D., President
Master’s International School of Divinity
Dear Vickie & Family,
i wanted to get by the visitation this evening, and it did not happen. Bill has always been a great “voice” to me, pun intended. Loved getting to know him in the early 1980’s in the Waco Junior Chamber of Commerce, and follow his career as Les Parker through the decades. We got to know each other pretty well when “Les” was on “The Bear, 102.5” Classic Rock is my kind of music and he and i would visit about different bands, songs, albums, etc. bill was always a kind, gentle and enlightening soul. Never off colour (unlike me) i grew to admire him more and more through the years.
During those years, when Bill was working on Saturdays, i would have him come by our house and pick up pumpkin bread and ginger bread when i was doing “holiday baking”. He would stay only a while and then get home to the family.
We did not quite lose touch when he left the Bear and went to adult contemporary and talk radio, but did not visit as often. i did some on air interviews with him, and he was so overjoyed to be able to be going to seminary and serving the Lord as a pastor. Once again, a “voice” of leadership. It was great to see him so excited to fulfill his dream of being a pastor and leading his flock.
It was quite the shock to see Bill’s name in the obituaries this morning… please know that you and your extended family are in our thoughts and prayers during this tender and trying time of great loss. Please know that Bill touched so very many people over the airwaves, just as he must of touched his parishioners even more deeply at Downsville.
Prayerfully,
K. Paul Holt
I will miss Bill and am so thankful for him. He always showed he cared and loved those around him. I first met him at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in 1998. I went thru Divorce Recovery class, where he really opened up to me and really helped me grieve and move on. I didn’t feel alone. I so appreciated his guidance and understanding. Through the years, we would visit here and there. I also got to know Vickie, who I also love so dearly. I will say I’ve always looked up to them and their marriage. They are an example of God’s idea of marriage in my opinion and one of few marriages I just really thrive to be like. Til we meet again Bill. Vickie please know I love you and prayers with you, Erin and Geoffry.
To Vickie, my good friend and her family. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. My friend, I am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you.
Our thoughts and prays go out to the family. James was a wonderful and caring individual and will be greatly missed. He loved the Lord and loved to help anyone in need. He was a true servant to God.
May God bless the entire family of William L. Pack.
Vickie , my Prayers are with You and Your Family, I wanted to Thank Bill and You for being such Great Role Models.
I will Have a special place in my heart for yall.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bill was truly an amazing, caring man who always thought of others. We just recently saw him a wedding and he made a special point to come up to us and ask how we were doing. He always had a smile on his face. He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. Although we will not be able to attend his service, we will be there in our thoughts and prayers. Heaven received a very special angel when Bill was called home.
My prayers and thoughts are with y’all. He was a great and Godly man. Heaven got another angel now to look down on us and guide us.
Geoff,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We met your dad at your graduation party. A very special man.
Vickie, June, and Eddie:
Susan and I are saddened by your loss. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.