WILLIAM LEE “BILL” EFFINGER

1951-2017

William Lee “Bill” or “Bucky” Effinger passed away in his home in Houston, Texas on August 16, 2017 at the age of 66.

Bill is survived by his brother Kenny and Kenny’s wife Lynn, both of Houston, Texas; his sister Jill and her partner David, both of Bandera, Texas; and his sisterin-law Sandi of Galveston, Texas. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and pets, all of whom held him dear. He was preceded in death by his mother Evelyn Morine “Chato” (Minor) Effinger, his father Harvey Hall “Hump” Effinger, both of Houston, TX and his brother James Michael “Mike” Effinger of Galveston, Texas.

Bill was born on April 22, 1951 in Houston, Texas. He attended both Westchester and Memorial High Schools.

Bill flourished among friends, or alone in nature, or engrossed in a book. He was an accomplished outdoorsman, an artist on a bulldozer, a builder of lakes, green spaces and pathways. He was a steward of the wild things of Texas: the untamed woods, uncivilized kids and unruly pets. He was the Wizard of Wheelock, the sorcerer of the Post Oak Savannah.

Bill loved classic cinema, eclectic music, historical nonfiction and nearly every person he got to know. He was somewhat paradoxical: a reclusive outdoorsman, a solitary companion, a scholar with little use for school. In short, he was a fascinating and complex man who enriched the lives of those around him. The world is dimmer without his light.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife on Sept. 30, 2017 from 6 to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation. Please RSVP to: gwaltrip@ mac.com, 713-253-8253 or www.facebook.com/groups/ BillEffinger/