William Razo

Bill Razo, 85, of Richardson, TX, died May 15, 2013, with his family by his side in Dallas, TX. His final days were spent surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Helenas Catholic Church with Father Juan Carlos Ramirez officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. A Rosary will be held at Chapel of Hope, Monday, May 20, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. He will be in state at Chapel of Hope from 3:00 8:00 p.m. on Monday, and 8:00 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Born William Dutchover Razo to Margaret Dutchover and Vivian Razo on September 16th, 1927, in Alpine, TX. Bill grew up in Fort Davis, TX, and graduated Salutatorian in 1945. He served in the United States Air Force from 19461949, and graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelors in Journalism in January 1953. He married Joan Pate of Brownsville, TX, on December 22, 1952. The couple and their children lived in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, TX, until 1972, when they moved to Hobbs, NM, where they finally found home.
For 26 years, he owned his own insurance agency with Farmers Insurance Group, and was active in the Commemorative Air Force, Community Players of Hobbs, and served as Executive Director of the Southwest Symphony. As an actor, he brought to life Harvey and The Wizard of Oz, and traveled with the musical Viva Santa Fe to the Worlds Fair, Expo 92, in Seville, Spain. He was a member and past President of the Hobbs NM Rotary Club, and attended St. Helenas Catholic Church where he sang weekly in the choir. Throughout his life he received numerous awards including the Tom Mason Award the American Association of Community Theater David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award and was named a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.
Bill had a heart for volunteering, loved sharing a good meal with his family, doting on his grandbabies, and was passionate about traveling. He was a valued member of the community and will be remembered fondly and dearly missed.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joan, in 1993. He is survived by his brother, Eddie Razo, of Carlsbad, NM son, Rick Razo, and his partner Bill Lingenfelter, of San Francisco, CA his daughter, Diedra Razo Betzen his three granddaughters and their husbands, Raeann and Will Patton of Seattle, WA, Adrienne and Heath Weeks of Des Moines, IA, and Kannon and Eric Zeller of Hobbs and two greatgrandchildren, Peyton and Coogan Weeks.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Community Players of Hobbs or the Southwest Symphony.