William Thomas Cummings

William Thomas Cummings, 88, died with his family by his side on October 29, 2023, in Sweeny, Texas.  He was known as Bill, W.T. and to many as “Wee Willie.” 

He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Angie Cummings; his sister, Fan Mizell; three daughters, Theresa Garrett (husband Bobby), Lisa Fragale (husband Tom), and Connie McAda (husband Bernie); nine grandchildren, Matthew Montgomery, Cortney McAda, Cody McAda, Veronica Montgomery, Haley Grimes (husband David), Chelsie Bruemmer (husband Sean), Colton McAda, Kyler Alderman, and Gage Alderman (wife Erika); 14 great-grandchildren, Landon, Cayden, Radly, Gatlin, Alana, Gunner, Davina, Caroline, Savannah, Sophia, Peyton, Parker, Jett and Mila; and many, many nieces, nephews, and family.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Verna Rhodes, his stepfather, J.B. Rhodes, his father, William Gray, his infant daughter, Theresa Elaine, his infant son, Michael Byrns, and his grandson, Adam Montgomery.

Bill was born in New Gulf, Texas on June 10, 1935, to Willie and Verna Gray. He grew up in New Gulf, Boling, and Sweeny and graduated from Sweeny High School in 1953. He excelled at playing the trumpet and was honored to play Taps at multiple funerals and other school events.  During high school, he was the band president, “Band Man of the Year,” and obtained the highest achievement in Boy Scouts becoming an Eagle Scout.  After high school, Bill attended Wharton County Junior College where he continued playing the trumpet in the band. While at WCJC, he also played baseball with the Catholic Youth Organization where he first met his wife, Angie. Their first date was at a bohemian dance in Hungerford and was the first start of a lifetime of fun and dancing.

Bill graduated from WCJC in 1955 before attending Texas A&M for a year and serving in the Corps. While at A&M, he would frequently hitch hike back to Wharton to see Angie. In 1957, Bill enlisted in the Army Reserve where he served until 1963.  He and Angie married in 1958 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton. He became a member of the Wharton Jaycees where he was twice awarded Jaycee of the Year.  He worked construction and as a boiler maker at Phillips 66 before his job as a Parts Manager at the Ford Motor Company.  He was later rehired to work for Phillips 66 where he worked for 35 years as a self-taught electrician, eventually becoming an Electrician Superintendent. He and Angie moved to Sweeny in 1965 with their three daughters, Theresa, Lisa, and Connie, where they lived in the same house for 58 years. He was an avid gardener, and he and Angie loved to socialize and go dancing. During that time, he also became a member of the Frank Phillips Men’s Club where he later served as President. He was a life-time member of the Frank Phillips Lake and Gun Club and volunteered his time frequently for events at the Club House in Old Ocean.  Bill was also a proud, lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

Bill could fix anything and had every tool neatly organized in his garage.  He had a level of organization beyond belief and kept logs of all home and car maintenance through the years. One of his biggest joys was going camping at Rocky Creek on Lake Somerville with his friends and family.  After Bill retired from Phillips 66 at the age of 60, he and Angie continued camping in their RV for many years. They also continued their greatest passion— dancing every weekend at the Armadillo Ballroom and enjoying the local bars in the area.

Bill will be greatly missed, but his legacy continues through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Wednesday November 1^st at 12:00 p.m. at C.T. Baker Funeral Home 634 S. Columbia Dr. West Columbia.  Funeral service to begin at 1:00 p.m.  Interment to follow with full military honors at the Sweeny Cemetery.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.ctbakerfuneral.com