Reverend William E. Summers of Denton, Texas went to meet his Heavenly Father whom he served so faithfully on Tuesday, December 8, 2015.

William was born in Hebron, Texas on June 12, 1925 to George P. Summers and Myrtle Glidewell Summers. He grew up in a large family of four sisters and two brothers. William's father died when he was sixteen and he went to work full time to support his family. He joined the United States Navy in 1943 to serve his country during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific, and awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with two stars and the World War II Victory medal. Upon his return home, he won the heart of Edna Auline Meek of Dallas, Texas and they were married on May 19, 1946. To their union were born two children, Milton Ray Summers and Marilyn Kay Summers Newland.

In 1954, William felt that God was calling him to full-time ministry and he became a pastor in the Assemblies of God, serving for 51 years, pastoring five churches over the course of his career. Reverend Summers served on the Section Committee, which has the oversight of local churches, both for the West Texas and the North Texas Assemblies of God districts. He also served as a chaplain for Chi Alpha at the University of North Texas. He was always very honored to serve in these roles but none of them meant as much to him as did his greatest accomplishments as a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather.

He was a builder: a builder of churches, a builder of young pastors whom he mentored; a builder of houses; a builder of families as he counseled many through hard times; a builder of friendships, many of them life-long; a builder of children, grand-children, great grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren as he shared with them the wisdom that he had gained through his life. William was a man of great integrity, faith, and compassion. He always put God's call first in his life.

He loved to tell corny jokes, which only he got. He loved having sausage gravy and biscuits with his family on Saturday mornings. He loved his Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream, his Texas Peanut Patties and country music. He enjoyed playing 42 with his father-in-law at family reunions and watching re-runs of old westerns on television.

William is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Auline; daughter Marilyn Newland and her husband Greg; grand-daughters Holly Robinson and her husband Patrick, and Jennifer Smith and her husband Mike; great-grandchildren Grant Summers, David Simpson, Tyler Kendrick, Drew Smith; Bonnie Lack and Molly Lack; great great-grandchildren, Kari Meek and Michael Summers; brothers Buck Summers and wife Ruth, and Harold Summers and close companion Charlene Carrington; brothers-in-law, Jean Meek and wife Norma, and Charles Meek; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by both of his parents; his son, Milton; and his sisters, Margaret, Patsy, Mary Grace and Doris.

The family will receive visitors at DeBerry Funeral Home (2025 West University Drive) in Denton on Friday, December 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The service will be on Saturday, December 12, 10:00 a.m. at EaglePointe Church, 1310 Lindsey Street in Denton with the graveside and burial to follow at Restland Cemetery in Dallas. William's favorite color was blue if you would like to honor him by wearing it.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pleasant Hills Children's Home (PO Box 1177, Fairfield, Texas, 75840).