Obituary for William Franklin "Bill" Oxford
He was born October 6, 1935 in Kaufman County, Texas to William Franklin (Frank) Oxford and Ruby Vick Oxford. Bill lived in Dallas until 1948, and then moved to Denton. He attended Junior and Senior High School in Denton and was a star baseball pitcher for the Denton Broncos before graduating in 1953. Bill attended North Texas State College, now the University of North Texas, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Education. While at North Texas, Bill was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He supported himself through school by working at Perryman-Williams Drug Store. Bill also served 8 years in the United States Naval Reserve.
Bill taught high school mathematics in Dallas Independent School District for two years before moving to Houston to attend the University of Houston School of Pharmacy in 1959. Following his graduation 1962, Bill returned to the Dallas area to practice pharmacy. In 1963, Bill purchased Preston Royal Pharmacy with business partner, Ed Talley. They also purchased Hatley’s Pharmacy in Irving, Texas and co-owned and operated 3 stores under the name Royal Pharmacies for over 25 years.
Bill practiced pharmacy for over 40 years in Texas. During that time, he served as President of the Dallas County Pharmaceutical Society and was also a member of the Texas Pharmacy Association and the American Pharmaceutical Association. In the 1970s and 80s, he worked diligently for legislation to improve the pharmacy profession.
Bill married Jeanette Parks in September 1956, settling in Irving, Texas where they raised 2 children, Wendy and Todd. Bill attended countless YMCA swim meets and baseball games and enjoyed participating in the YMCA Indian Guides and Indian Princesses programs with his children. He was also active in the Irving High School Band Booster Club.
He loved to read and was knowledgeable in many areas including history, archaeology, science, politics, and current events. His love of sailing gave family and friends quite an amazing workout and an abundance of pleasure on Lewisville and Grapevine Lakes. He loved bird hunting, fishing and attending sporting events with his family.
Bill moved to Atlanta in 2011 and enjoyed time with his grandchildren, including attendance at their cross country and track meets.
Bill was loved and respected by many. He worked extremely hard from the age of 13 to support himself and his family. This quality endeared him to teachers and local businessmen. Over time, this network opened doors for him at North Texas State and elsewhere, helping him accomplish the dreams and goals that he had as a young man. His faith in God and belief in himself was supported by his Baptist upbringing and later his Presbyterian membership.
In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by siblings Helen Vick Rogers, Charles Vick and U.D. Vick. Bill is survived by former wife Jeanette Parks Oxford of Irving, son William Todd Oxford of Austin, daughter Wendy Alane Oxford Turner and son-in-law Harold Clifton Turner of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by beloved grandchildren, Madeleine Claire Turner and Austin Michael Turner, and his aunt Alma Fay Vick Hargrove of Mesquite, Texas. Other survivors include dear nieces, nephews and cousins who will always remember his support and kindness.
Bill taught high school mathematics in Dallas Independent School District for two years before moving to Houston to attend the University of Houston School of Pharmacy in 1959. Following his graduation 1962, Bill returned to the Dallas area to practice pharmacy. In 1963, Bill purchased Preston Royal Pharmacy with business partner, Ed Talley. They also purchased Hatley’s Pharmacy in Irving, Texas and co-owned and operated 3 stores under the name Royal Pharmacies for over 25 years.
Bill practiced pharmacy for over 40 years in Texas. During that time, he served as President of the Dallas County Pharmaceutical Society and was also a member of the Texas Pharmacy Association and the American Pharmaceutical Association. In the 1970s and 80s, he worked diligently for legislation to improve the pharmacy profession.
Bill married Jeanette Parks in September 1956, settling in Irving, Texas where they raised 2 children, Wendy and Todd. Bill attended countless YMCA swim meets and baseball games and enjoyed participating in the YMCA Indian Guides and Indian Princesses programs with his children. He was also active in the Irving High School Band Booster Club.
He loved to read and was knowledgeable in many areas including history, archaeology, science, politics, and current events. His love of sailing gave family and friends quite an amazing workout and an abundance of pleasure on Lewisville and Grapevine Lakes. He loved bird hunting, fishing and attending sporting events with his family.
Bill moved to Atlanta in 2011 and enjoyed time with his grandchildren, including attendance at their cross country and track meets.
Bill was loved and respected by many. He worked extremely hard from the age of 13 to support himself and his family. This quality endeared him to teachers and local businessmen. Over time, this network opened doors for him at North Texas State and elsewhere, helping him accomplish the dreams and goals that he had as a young man. His faith in God and belief in himself was supported by his Baptist upbringing and later his Presbyterian membership.
In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by siblings Helen Vick Rogers, Charles Vick and U.D. Vick. Bill is survived by former wife Jeanette Parks Oxford of Irving, son William Todd Oxford of Austin, daughter Wendy Alane Oxford Turner and son-in-law Harold Clifton Turner of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by beloved grandchildren, Madeleine Claire Turner and Austin Michael Turner, and his aunt Alma Fay Vick Hargrove of Mesquite, Texas. Other survivors include dear nieces, nephews and cousins who will always remember his support and kindness.