William "Bill" David Bethard

William David Bethard

August 12, 1940 – September 13, 2025

William D. Bethard (Bill), loving husband for 63 years, father, brother, grand and great grandfather, also friend to many, passed away on September 13, 2025.

Born August 12, 1940 in Sterling, Whiteside, Illinois to Bruce and Hazel Bethard. His parents were ministers of the Gospel, so Bill was raised in several states, his favorite was South Dakota and Darrington, Washington, where he graduated from High School in 1958. The day he graduated he left home and moved to Seattle, Washington where he worked in a library for the blind till he was recruited into the Navy. Thinking he could travel, Bill put in for any port available, but he only got Jacksonville, Florida, and San Diego, California. He was honorably discharged from the United Stated Navy on August 6, 1964.

Bill married Connie Smith, his wife of 63 years on September 1, 1962.

He worked for Boeing in Renton, Washington until he decided he was interested in Computers. Seeking out a school to learn from, he chose Edison Tech in Seattle, Washington and took their enrollment test but failed it. The school told him to think about another career, but he talked them into letting him try to take the test again and this time he passed. In a few weeks, Bill was teaching his class, and the teacher was sitting in the front row learning from him. The school quit using the enrolment test after he graduated. The school then hired him as a teacher. Then Bill decided to go into the banking world, so they moved to Arizona, where he helped with the credit cards, debugging the problems. He became a problem solver or computer analyst by trade until he retired. After living in Tempe, Arizona for 20 years, Bill decided he wanted to be a rancher, so they moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico. Bill also took up antique clocking and had a shop in town. Bill had many hobbies throughout his life, which he truly enjoyed, from researching World War II, birds, fish aquariums, gemstones, and breeding horses on his ranch. Bill kept busy for many years.

In 2012, the “Little Bear Fire” destroyed their ranch house and property. Bill and Connie then moved to Rockport, Texas where Bill passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025. His life was shortened by lung disease.

Bill leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years, Connie; his daughter, Keri Bethard; his sister, Lois Smilth; four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Hazel Bethard; his sons, Kyle Bethard 12 ½ years old, and Kelly Bethard 19 years old.

He will have a service at a later date at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.