Tuesday, July 2, 2024
William Sidney Herridge (Bill), age 77, passed away at his lake home at Lake Leon, Eastland, Texas on May 16, 2024.
Bill was born Dec. 8, 1946, in Eastland, Texas, the son of Bert and Marian (Robertson) Herridge and grandson of Sidney (Altman) Robertson, all who preceded him in death. He graduated from Eastland High School in 1965 and Texas A & M University in 1974.
He joined the Air Force in 1966 serving in Vietnam, flying 25 combat missions as a B-52 tail gunner over North Vietnam. He later joined the Army Reserve and retired in 2011 as a Major.
Bill was a member of Gatesville Masonic Lodge No 197 and Robert Burns Lodge No 127, Karem & Ben Hur Shrine Temples, Scottish Rite, 32d Degree Knights Cross of the Court of Honor, and York Rite. He was the piper for Scottish Rite Temple, Waco Consistory and Robert Burns Lodge.
He married Diane Drake July 29, 1966, who preceded him in death in 2020. They had two children, Jeffrey Herridge and Janna Herridge Morgan, and a grandson, Evan Herridge. Most of their married life was spent in Gatesville, where Bill was a State Farm Agent for over 40 years. He was also very active in many civic activities in Gatesville. Bill’s sense of adventure and his duties in the Army Reserve took him all over Europe and beyond, many of those trips accompanied by his family.
Bill had many hobbies, loved to work on vintage cars, and was an accomplished musician. There weren’t many musical instruments he hadn’t mastered, but he especially loved the bagpipes, which he taught himself to play. At one time he was the official piper for Fort Hood and played for many memorial services at Fort Hood and for many of his friends and lodge brothers. He also had the honor of piping for his Clan Chief (the Robertson Clan) twice, one of which was at the Edinburgh Tattoo when his clan was the honor clan.
Bill married his current wife, Donna Ford Hunt, on Jan. 1, 2021, in Eastland. They continued to travel as often as possible until Bill’s health became an issue. Donna continued to be his constant companion and caregiver until his death.
Bill is survived by his wife, Donna Herridge; children, Jeffrey (Kristi) Herridge and Janna (Kevin) Morgan; grandson, Evan Herridge; stepchildren, Jeffrey (Melinda) Lutz, Michelle Stringer, and Tara (Dirk) Lindsey as well as step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, David (Donna) Herridge, Jim (Kay) Herridge, Rusty (Marsha) Herridge, Sharron Collier, and Terresa (Nick) Fagan; special sister-in-law, Sherry Jo Loeb; as well many nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.
A memorial service will be held July 13, at the Presbyterian Church of Gatesville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to a Shriner Hospital, Presbyterian Church of Gatesville, or a charity of your choice.
A special thanks to the nurses and therapists with Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, his caregivers with Vising Angels and the first responders with Eastland Memorial Hospital EMS.
