Community Leader Bill Erwin Has Died

Courtesy photo of Bill Erwin.
Courtesy photo of Bill Erwin.

If you’re a relative newcomer to Bryan/College Station, the name Bill Erwin won’t ring a bell. But if you’re associated with any local organizations, he’s played a role.

Erwin died Monday at the age of 75 following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He combined a 35 year career with GTE, who owned the local phone company through his retirement in 1996.

A public viewing will be held Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan.

A memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in College Station.

Among those celebrating Erwin’s life is local dentist Bill Birdwell, who says Erwin was the best at teaching others how to be servants.

Bill Birdwell visits with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.

Another close friend, retired WTAW Sports Director Tom Turbiville, along with Birdwell and many others were members of the “Friends of Bill Club”.

Tom Turbiville visits with Bill Oliver.

Milton Dare, former head of the St. Joseph’s Foundation, also shared his thoughts regarding the loss.

Milton Dare visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia

Click HERE to read Bill Erwin’s biographical information, courtesy of the family.

Here’s a list of Erwin’s public service activities and awards, provided by the family:

President-Chairman of the following:

• United Way of Brazos County
• SI. Joseph Foundation of Bryan, Texas
• Better Business Bureau of Brazos Valley, Inc.
• Brazos Chapter – Texas Manufacturers Association
• Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce
• Boys Club of Bryan, Inc.
• Arrowmoon District, Boy Scouts of America
• Leadership Brazos Advisory Board
• International Good Neighbor Council, Del Rio, Texas
• Chamber of Commerce Del Rio, Texas
• Val Verde County United Fund, Del Rio, Texas

Board Member/Committee Member

• Arts Council of Brazos Valley
• Aggie Quarterback Club
• Knife and Fork Club
• SI. Joseph Foundation of Bryan, Texas
• Brazos Bash Fund Raisers, St. Joseph Foundation of Bryan, Texas
• Founding Chapter/Charter Member, Caring and Sharing Parkinson’s Support Group, American Parkinson’s Disease Association
• Del Rio Industrial Foundation, Del Rio, Texas
• American Diabetes Association
• American Cancer Society Association
• American Heart Association
• Brazos Safety Association, Charter Member

AWARDS-Civic and Community

• Outstanding Young Man of Brazos County, 1971, Bryan-College Station Jaycees
• Man of the Year, 1988, Boys Club
• Paul Harris Fellow, Bryan Rotary Club
• Life Member, Bryan Rotary Club
• Volunteer of the Year, 1991, Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce
• Benefit Roast, 1991, St. Joseph Foundation, fundraiser to benefit Pediatrics Unit at St. Joseph Regional Health Center
• Citizen of the Year, 1992, Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce
• Tribute Dinner, Honoree, 1993, The Arthritis Foundation, South Central Texas Chapter
• Benefit ToastiDinner, 1997, Bill the Sequel, St. Joseph Foundation, fundraiser to benefit Aquatherapy Program at St. Joseph Regional Rehabilitation Center
• GTE Room Honorarium Gift, 1997, College Station Friends of Library, Capital Campaign
• Annual Bill A. Erwin Academic Athletic Award established in 1997 by the Athletic Department, Texas A&M University

AWARDS-Professional

• OVA Program-Overhead Value Analysis, Company-wide savings of $1. 5 million
• GTE Winner’s Circle
• GTE President’s Leadership Gold Award, 1997, Texas A&M Distance Learning Center
• GTE President’s Leadership Gold Award, 1997, Texas Right of Way Resolution Team

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