John William “Bill” Paxton, Jr.

Obituary John William "Bill" Paxton, Jr. August 16, 2019 John William "Bill" Paxton, Jr., age 83, passed away at his home August 16, 2019. Bill was born on April 10, 1936 in Worland, the oldest son of John W. and Rosie Alberta (Reed) Paxton, Sr. He attended school in Durkee, Manderson and Basin, graduating from Worland High School in 1954. Bill had many jobs during this time including farming. He also worked for Pure Gas, Golden Gas, and Tuloma Gas Company as well as the Uranium Mill for Exxon. Bill married Virginia Eberhardt in 1957, of whom Jennie, John and Marilyn were born. The couple later divorced. In 1974, he sold out and moved to Billings Montana where he purchased a gas station and car wash at 19th and Broadwater. After 4 years Bill and his brother, Frank, went to work for Exxon Uranium. In 5 years they shut down the mill and sent him to Texas where he worked as a mechanic, pumper and finally a plant operator. In 1988 Bill met Narda Odom. The couple was married in Jourdanton, Texas on Dec 7, 1990. Texas was a great place, but there were too many bugs for Bill's liking. He worked at Jourdanton Gas Plant until it was shut down. Exxon then sent him to the King Ranch Gas Plant in Kingsville where he worked until his retirement in 1993. After retiring, the couple moved back to Worland. Bill didn't stay idle long, he went to work for Western Auto for 17 years, until his health would no longer permit. Bill often commented that he never worked for better people than the Brown's. Bill was a kind and loving man. His family and friends were held in the highest regard. He never really met a stranger, just a friend who he hadn't got acquainted with yet. He was very proud of his flower garden and grateful to John (from Basin) who helped take care of his yard for the last while. Bill had a fascination with model trains, so much that he has an entire shed dedicated to numerous models and landscapes for them to travel in. Christmas was his favorite holiday and he had many decorations and lights to make his home festive. He also liked John Deere tractors. One of his favorite accomplishments was refurbishing a Model R. He also enjoyed fishing, listening to country music and taking his little dog "Smokey" for a ride on his scooter. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Marilyn Seidel. He leaves behind his wife, Narda of 30 years, son, John William Paxton, III of Billings, Montana, daughter, Jenny Ryan of Payson, Arizona; 3 grandchildren, Kyle, Alyssa and Brandon, a great-granddaughter, Marilyn; brother Frank (Cathie) Paxton of Worland, sisters, Delores (Richard) Wiley of Worland and Ida Mae Watkins of Billings, Montana; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 23, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church with Pastor Ron Fanning of the Big Horn Independent Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held 6:00 p.m., Thursday, August 22, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the Big Horn Independent Baptist Church c/o PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401.