William Thomas Anderson, 97 years, died in his home on Friday, January 26, 2024, in Denton, Texas. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 27, 1926, to Edward and Olive Anderson he was the sixth of nine children who loved their Irish roots.

Bill loved education, travel, and service. With a vocation to the Society of Mary, he joined the Marianist Minor Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, and was accepted into the Marianist Novitiate, Beacon, New York. Returning to Ohio, Bill earned his B.S. in Education from the University of Dayton and then taught high school for five years. The culmination of these years was Bill's study at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland and his ordination in 1955, as a Catholic priest.

Bill, now fluid in both the English and French languages, volunteered in 1957, to teach in Nigeria and served as the headmaster in Asaba, Nigeria. Illness brought Bill back to the US. It wasn't long before he earned his M.A. in Sociology from Fordham University.

Again, in January 1963 adventure called and Bill responded going to Switzerland, the Middle East and Congo. By January 1964, he took residence in Nairobi to serve as the Pan African Secretary for Pax Romana. In this role, Bill represented Catholic university students across the continent. Returning to the States in 1968, he took the opportunity to earn, his M.A. in Counseling, from Detroit University. It was 1977, when Bill resigned from Catholic ministry.

In another calling to adventure and learning, Bill married Ruth Grathwohl in 1978. They embarked on a life of mutual love, honest sharing and continual growth. Together, they traveled to Texas and in 1981 Bill earned an Ed.D, from East Texas State. Bill joined the faculty at TWU in 1984. Moving to Denton with Ruth, they set down roots and found the place they would call home. Bill and Ruth's presence enriched the families of many of his colleagues and the wider Denton community.

In 1999 Bill and Ruth retired from TWU. They continued to be professional volunteer counselors through Immaculate Conception Church, and many will fondly remember Bill for his years of service to the Denton Community Food Center.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Olive, brothers, Edward and John (Jay), sisters, Mary, Rita, Olive, Noreen and Eileen.

Bill is survived by the love of his life, Dr. Ruth Grathwohl Anderson, as well as his sister, Patricia Bosway of Centerville, Ohio. And he leaves behind numerous nephews and nieces, impacted by his solicited wisdom and loving counsel. Being inspired by the life that Bill led, many friends and colleagues remain to honor his memory.

A mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10am , Saturday, March 16, 2024 at St Mark Catholic Church, 6500 Crawford Rd, Argyle, TX 76226. A reception will follow at North Point Café, 2000 W University Dr, Denton, TX  76201.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Marianist Missions or a social agency of your choice.