William “Bill” G. Allen passed away at the age of 90 after a brief illness and was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda Raye Allen. He enjoyed a rich and well-lived life. He is dearly missed and never forgotten.
This is our online memorial for family and friends. Please join us in sharing our photos, videos, memories, and stories about Bill to this website. To read what others have posted or add your own story, please visit our Tribute Wall. You can also add your comments to posted stories.
Thank you for celebrating with us the life of this wonderful person, he will be dearly missed.
Remembering Bill Allen𓂃𓈒𓏸
Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to deaf parents, Bill and his brother Eddie grew up learning to communicate with their parents through American Sign Language. Despite a childhood of relatively modest means, and through the prodding and assistance of others, Bill developed the spark to seek higher education and pursued the opportunity to attend college. A serious student, he distinguished himself at Texas A&M and Southern Methodist University, graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
Tributes to Bill Allen
Memories of Glenda Raye Allen
BILL REMEMBERS GLENDA
The combination of beauty, good humor, intelligence, common sense, and knowing what the right thing to do will never come to me again, as it did in Glenda.
I was so fortunate to have encountered her. I do not want to alarm anyone, it is not necessary, but I can completely understand why so many couples die so close to one another.
She and I have been called survivors. I think that is so, more so with Glenda. I have had many many events of good fortune, Glenda among them, in my life. Glenda endured many more difficulties than I did.
I would come home, excited about a great idea I had. Glenda, the supreme “reality checker” would poo-poo it. I would go away, very mad and upset. I would try to figure out why I was so mad, and realize it was because she was right!
Another common situation would be her constant worrying when one of the girls was late returning home. She would pace around, working me into a frenzy, while I told her there was nothing to worry about. About the time my anxiety equalled hers, the girls would show up, perfectly fine! I never learned not to let her suck me into her episodes!
This is probably too intimate, but Glenda had the softest lips! And, we really enjoyed dancing with each other.
On our return from our first date, Cokes at the drive-in with Eddie & Barbara, I said to myself, “I’m going to snow this girl!” First impressions are significant. The first attempt at this was to tell her her eyes were beautiful, during dinner at the Spanish Village on Oak Lawn in Dallas.
Even with Glenda’s great sense of humor, she had a tendency towards a smoldering temper. A long walk often was her self-imposed cure, I remember one evening in Odessa when she left the house with Larry’s dog, Rinney, a fat German Shepard. After a while, I got worried and got the kids, Cam 4 and Andy 2, into the car to go looking for her. Not two doors away, here came Glenda and Rinney, walking home. Imagine my embarrassment with the girls, hanging out the car window, yelling “Mommy, come home! We love you!”
There were many other examples of Glenda’s temper: The time she tossed a iron, point first, into the Farmers Branch House’s kitchen SS sink. I kinda smirked when I kept my cool and repaired it. And the time she went on strike due to the kids’ carelessness in throwing clothes and toys on the floor. She didn’t do laundry or cook for a couple of weeks. She was a real hero at church, where people wanted to know how it was going. (It was the 60’s and things were changing for women.)
Everybody has a story to tell, but Glenda’s was truly wonderful!
Bill Allen
Bill Allen
April 1, 2016
MY FRIEND GLENDA
In the 80’s, Buz and I had the pleasure of getting to know Glenda and Bill. We took our very first cruise together and created many memories including making costumes from crepe paper to imitate our table companion, Ester, a stylish woman from New Jersey. Glenda got a little seasick while we we’re sewing in our “spacious inside cabin”. We also took several ski trips with Glenda and Bill and Chris. We stayed in some curious places mostly picked out by me and most at the last minute. Glenda was not an adventurous skier and more than once I led her down a slope a little too steep after assuring her it was the easiest one. I never saw her angry, just a little smirk that told me he was not too happy.
Glenda worked with me at the paint store in Lafayette and was so great with color she was quite an asset. She also kept me grounded as one employee, Tom, was on the weird side and she helped me see through his lies. She was one smart cookie!
The last time I saw Glenda was in 2010 after Buz died. I visited them in Bellevue and Glenda was determined to get rid of all the ground cover. She was beginning her long journey and Bill had done extensive research on Alzheimer’s. He thought she would find one thing that was important to her and at that time it was gardening and Bill knew to let her do it her way.
What a great couple. I will miss her and am grateful I had the opportunity to be her friend.
Fondly,
Judy Honsaker
Judy Honsaker
March 23, 2016
FRIENDS FROM CHILDHOOD
Glenda was my best friend throughout all of my life.
One of my first memories is of us sitting in the cow pasture at our grandparent's farm blowing dandelion fluff at each other and laughing. We were the same age and would scream with delight when one of us saw the other ones car drive up the lane to the farmhouse.
We started dance lessons at 2…little Shirley Temples in the making. Our Mothers were very close and very talented. They sewed our beautiful dance costumes and encouraged us to practice by singing and dancing with us. They both sacrificed so much so we could have these lessons with the best teacher in Dallas at the time.
When Glenda was 9 or maybe 10 her Mom, Vera,…Aunt V to me, died of breast cancer changing her young life forever. Somehow even through all the years of bouncing around and living with various family members and even in an orphanage for a while she managed to keep her sense of self and was the same cousin I had always loved to be with.
She lived at our grandparent's farm for her last year or two of high school and soon adapted to that new normal. She fit right in and was very popular with the “country kids”, never copped a “city girl” attitude and learned some pretty neat stuff herself. She was the most beautiful girl for miles around!
When she graduated and came back to Dallas to get a job - Wow! The city girl was back! She fit right in again. She bought beautiful clothes had lots of friends and quite the social life. Her biggest worry was what new shade of nail polish to buy. Not Kidding!
I could go on forever.
I loved her,
Tootie
Oh, also she could dive and was a really good swimmer.
Tootie
March 11, 2016
GLENDA ATTENDS OUR WEDDING
I will always remember Glenda with such fondness. From the first time I met her, I knew she was special. When I learned that she was going to come all the way from Texas for Larry’s and my wedding, I just couldn’t believe it. So far for just one day! But that was Glenda. She said she wouldn’t miss it for anything, and I know Larry was especially glad see her, and to have someone on His side of the aisle besides his Coast Guard buddies. Larry and I will both miss her very very much.
Cherie Furgeson
Cherie Furgeson
March 8, 2016
GLENDA, GLENDA, GLENDA
Glenda, Glenda, Glenda….truly one of a kind, as I have never met another Glenda. Always beaming, whether it was popping into Chris’ office at the Bon Marche in the “olden days”, a rousing game of Bunko with the girls or a stroll thru the park – you always knew the time would be well spent. So, here’s to the entire Allen Family – thanks for sharing “Mom” with me!
Teeter McPherson
Teeter McPherson
March 1, 2016
MY COUSIN
Glenda was my dancing partner and best friend since babyhood and I loved her. She was beautiful and very talented. Glenda could design and make anything. She was an artist and had such an imagination for ideas and colors. She could build stuff and set a stage and scenery for performances. She really could do it all……while being a wife and raising three girls. I envied her! Except at Easter when she had to sew three outfits plus her own. Marvin adored her and we had lots of good times and wonderful trips with Bill and Glenda over a span of 50 years. Glenda was very proud of Bill and her girls and little granddaughter. They were her life. I will miss her….but then I’ll conjure up her smiling face and think of all the great memories we shared.
Sara Harvey
February 29, 2016
GLENDA AND MAX MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME
Mom asked Rick and I to get her a springer spaniel and train him. Mom drove us crazy asking for photos and videos daily. She finally could not stand it any longer and came to Alexandria, Virginia where we were living at the time to pick him up. This is a video of their first encounter. Andy and Rick
Andy and Rick
February 23, 2016
LEARNING TO CRAWL
Here is a photo of Glenda teaching her Grand daughter, Abigail, to crawl.
Glenda was the best Grandma, teaching her Granddaughter the important lessons of life. Like how to blow a good raspberry, how to sick out your tongue, and advanced face washing by letting the dog lick it clean.
Glenda could bring joy to any person, no matter what their age.
Chris, Andy and Cam
February 23, 2016
THANKFUL FOR GLENDA
I am so thankful for the opportunity to know Glenda. She was so full of life and energy. I always loved seeing Glenda as a child whether we were in Dallas, Los Angeles, Anchorage, or as an adult in Seattle. She is truly one of the greats. I always felt at home near her. Lots of love, The Gilmore’s in Sugar Land, Texas
The Gilmore’s in Sugar Land, Texas
February 23, 2016
GLENDA TAKES CARE…
Glenda and Bill raised 3 great daughters with whom we have had very many enjoyable moments! Glenda and Bill had us over for dinner plenty of times, always with family! always a good time! always good food! always good wine! always!!! Glenda and Bill came to our wedding, they cut some serious rug! Glenda and Bill hosted the baby shower for our daughter, her daughters have turned out great, ours is looking like she is headed in the right direction, I’m going with #GlendaGetsCredit Gathering with Allen clan when our daughter was ~6 months old. Non-stop shrieking, Glenda takes over to give us a chance for an enjoyable social moment. 30 minutes later, no change, still non-stop shrieking. Pronouncement was “she’s mad, just plain mad, nothing to do”. The expert spoke, guilt free continued enjoyable social moment despite the persistent shrieking, thank you!!! Great stuff Glenda!!! Who’s up for a Walla Walla road trip, say some nice spring weekend in May!!!
Mike & Missy Alexander
February 23, 2016