William Thomas Gafford

William Thomas (Bill) Gafford, age 81, was born on January 9, 1945 in Water Valley, Mississippi to Irma Kate Trusty Gafford and George Louis Gafford. Bill, the youngest of three children, attended Water Valley schools and enjoyed playing football and running hurdles in track and field for the Water Valley Blue Devils. He graduated Salutatorian of the class of 1963.

Bill and Carol Haley, born six months prior to Bill in the same hospital room, began dating in high school when Carol wrote for the school newspaper and Bill was the photographer. Scouting was an important part of his life, and he earned the Eagle Scout Award. The scouting motto of "Be Prepared" served as a guiding principle in his life.

Bill attended the University of Mississippi, earning a bachelor's degree, majoring in Mathematics and Sociology. Bill and Carol were married at the Water Valley Methodist Church on June 11, 1967.

His first job with Standard Oil/Amoco took him to New Orleans where he began a 35-year career as a Geophysicist in the Oil and Gas Industry, specializing in deep water oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1989, Bill moved to Houston, Texas as part of the BP/Amoco merger and embraced life as a Texan. Professionally, Bill was active in the Geophysical Society serving as President of the New Orleans Chapter and later the Houston Chapter.

Their two daughters, Angela and Amy, were born in New Orleans. The family flourished in the unique and diverse culture of the city and Bill developed a deep appreciation of Jazz music. During Mardi Gras, you could find Bill's alter ego atop a ladder along Lee Circle or St. Charles catching beads. Family vacations always included educational opportunities first, while hiking and learning about National Memorials in Natchez or Washington D.C. Angela inherited her father's sense of direction, his attention to detail, a love of photography, appreciation of genealogy, sharp wit and deep loyalty and commitment to justice. She does not carry on his love of math, choosing words over numbers at every turn. Captivated by her Dad's colored pencils for map work at his office, Amy carries her dad's pension for art and handicraft and a deep love of the earth and its creatures, especially birds. She also saves just about anything she can, "just in case".

A strong man of faith, Bill supported his church through leadership and volunteering during his life. Serving as chair and committee member of the Trustees, Finance Committee and Financial Campaigns, and Staff Parish Relations, Bill's ability to calmly listen to a variety of differing views and gently lead people was valued at First UMC New Orleans, Gretna UMC, Cypress UMC and most recently as he supported the new church start Mosaic United Methodist Church in the Cy-Fair area. One of his final memories was celebrating communion in the hospital with his associate pastor and a beloved church member, family by his side and seeing pictures of the land the church hoped to purchase.

Bill continued to serve others by working on Mission trips in Costa Rica and New Mexico. A longtime volunteer of the Angel House Stained Glass Ministry, many homes across the country display his handiwork. Following in the footsteps of his Uncle Aubrey, Bill created a workshop in the garage to build, create and craft woodworking. He was also accomplished in genealogy, gardening and birding.

While Bill may have retired from BP, he never actually stopped working. Bill consulted for short term oil and gas projects for several years. Most of his time and energy was spent as curator of the GeoScience Center in Houston, Texas, the first Museum of Geophysical artifacts. Bill fundraised, collected, inventoried items and led tours.

Carol and Bill became known as the LolliPops with the birth of his first granddaughter Willa Kate. Pop loved supporting the interests of his four grandchildren: sharing his knowledge of investing and example of volunteer service with Willa, Isabella's orchestra trips and rock collection, Evan's interest in piano, insects, rocks and exploring, and Evelyn's 4-H Llama husbandry and travel shows along with her love of photography. Bill always kept tabs on new parks to take the grandkids to on their visits to Houston. An engaged grandfather, Pop celebrated the unique interests of each grandchild making many trips to their homes in Indiana and Arizona.

Bill was a committed community advocate for the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District for over two decades. As a community member, he volunteered countless hours serving on important district wide committees charged with helping district leaders make important decisions. As a scientist/geophysicist, he took every opportunity to learn as much as he could, he asked critical probing questions, considered the data, and was a positive and respected community collaborator. He served on multiple Bond Study Committees and was currently serving on the CFISD Long Range Planning Committee. Bill was a member of the Community Leadership Committee and Leadership CFISD. He was a Super Senior and regularly attended Community Connect meetings to stay informed and engaged with the district. According to district leaders who worked with him, he was one of a kind and his unwavering commitment and support of the school district will be greatly missed.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Carol, daughters Rev. Angela Gafford Asmus (Joel Asmus) of Fishers, Indiana and Rev. Amy Barron-Gafford (Greg) of Tucson, Arizona, grandchildren Willa and Evan Barron-Gafford, Isabella and Evelyn Asmus, sister Ann McCullar, brother George (Happy) Gafford, sister-in-law Maybelle (Earl) Rutherford and brother-in-law Sammy (Becky) Haley along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. The family thanks the many friends and family who helped care for Bill during his recent illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the charity of your choice or to the following organizations which Bill loved and supported:

The Building Fund for Mosaic United Methodist Church.
Building Community
16818 N Eldridge Parkway,
Tomball, TX 77377

William and Carol Gafford School Counseling Endowment.
University of Mississippi Foundation,
406 University Avenue,
Oxford, MS 38655

The Houston GeoScience Center.
14811 St. Mary's Lane Suite 204,
Houston, TX 77079

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at 2:00 PM at First Methodist Church 603 N. Main Street, Water Valley, MS 38965 with the Rev. Angela Gafford Asmus officiating.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM

Burial at Oak Hill Cemetery to follow service.

A Memorial Service will be held in Houston, Texas at a later date.