OUZTS, WILLIAM R., JR.

William Roy “Bill” Ouzts Jr., 92, of Chandler, died Saturday, July 29, 2017, at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. He is surely with our Lord and Savior.

Bill was born December 15, 1924, in Haughton, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Roy Ouzts and Luella Isabell Hayes; two brothers and spouses, Ernest W. (Micki) Ouzts and John M. (Jan) Ouzts; and two sisters and spouses, Betty L. (Ted) Youngblood and Anita L. (Melvin) Williams.

Bill attended Minden High School in Minden, Louisiana; enlisted in the USMC during WWII and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Raider Regiment, and was deployed to the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged and began employment with the L&A Railroad out of Minden. The L&A Railroad discontinued service to Minden at which time Bill continued his education at Pittsburgh Technical Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earning an engineering degree. After graduation, he worked for Halliburton oilfield services in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a cementer, promoted to Southern Regional Safety Supervisor in Houston, then Western Regional Safety Supervisor in Midland, before retiring after 30 years of service.

He is survived by his wife, Naidean Fay Ouzts, of Chandler; a sister and spouse, Evelyn (Jerry) McFarland, of Minden; five children and spouses, Jean Williams, Jeri McCormick, William S. (Diane) Ouzts, Corinne Preston, Brenda (Tip) Kirwan; three grandchildren and spouse, William S. Ouzts Jr., Thomas Taylor (Faith) Kirwan, and Alexander M. Browne; four stepsons and spouses, Tony, Thomas (Corrie), Travis (Thu) and Ricky (Brandy); and four step-grandchildren, Savannah, Keoni, Adin and Lily.

A private memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 12, 2017, at Martin Springs Baptist Church, Chandler, with Brother Josh Smiley officiating.