Bill Conklin

Billey Don Conklin, age 83, passed away peacefully July 11 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. We will celebrate his life on July 14 at 10:00 am at Lakeridge Memorial Chapel with his pastor and friend Jim Irwin officiating. The South Plains Daylight Lodge along with Lamar Hayes will bestow the honor of a Masonic Service. Bill was born April 10, 1934 at home on the Whittenburg Ranch in Phillips, Texas to Lavana and ER Conklin.  After graduating from high school in Pampa, Texas, he attended Texas Tech.  In 1960, Bill married the love of his life, Jean Ramsey in Plainview.  He worked as a construction superintendent for Brown McKee and HB Zachry. In retirement, Bill spent time on the golf course, working out at the Lifestyle Center with his special group of friends, building many special projects, reloading ammunition in his workshop, as well as spending time supporting his ten grandchildren in all their activities. Rodeo was a big part of his life, and anyone who met Bill was dazzled by his soft spoken, gentle cowboy spirit.  Bill Conklin was a man of integrity, honor & conviction.  He was an avid reader, thinker, philosopher with an amazing ability to remember facts and details.  At age 81, Bill was honored to become one of, if not the oldest man to achieve Master Mason in Texas.  He was proud to follow in his father’s footsteps and remained a faithful member of the South Plains Daylight Lodge in Lubbock.  Bill was steadfast in his faith and was a beautiful example of what our heavenly Father must be like.  When he was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma in February, he met this obstacle in the same way he faced everything. He calmly listened to the facts, and never hesitated to make the choice to fight. We are so proud of him, and we hope to honor him and his legacy with our lives. Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jean; his son David Conklin and wife Kathy; daughter Stacy and husband Jent Burke.  Ten grandchildren: Jessica, Bryan, Courtney, Lacey, Andrea and Bailey; Drew, Brooks, Brynna and Deidra; and great grands: Catherine, Patrick, Graham and Hudson. As well as his grandchildren in love: Cory, Micah, and Ethan.We want to extend a special thank you to the team at Arrington, including the amazing greeters Matt & Lorenzo, Dr Harold Smith, his nurse Kathy, Dr Shalaby and staff, Dr Neumann and staff, Dr Todd Rose, Dr. Tapan Nath and Dr Borno. We are also so grateful for Hospice of Lubbock and Crownpoint who helped make his last few weeks at home possible.