William Harris “Bill” Connor was born on June 27, 1942 in Houston, Texas, the middle child of three born to William Harris Connor Sr. and Marjorie Cocanour Connor. Born and raised in Houston, Bill graduated from Lamar High School in 1960. Establishing his long roots in Georgetown, Texas, Bill graduated from Southwestern University with a BBA in Economics and Accounting in 1964. In 1967, Bill graduated from the University of Texas Law School (Hook ‘Em!).
After briefly practicing prosecutorial law in Georgetown, Bill moved to Midland, Texas, where he met Donna Louise Cleek. Married in 1970, Bill and Donna moved back to Georgetown in 1972 where they began a 50+ year journey in a life dedicated to service at the First United Methodist Church and in the local community. Bill and Donna enjoyed being the current day “old timers” of FUMC after being the one-time “newbies” in 1970’s formation of the Contemporary Forum Sunday School class. It was here that they made the life-long friendships that endure to today. He served in numerous leadership positions within the church. One of his accomplishments was helping to form the First United Methodist Church Georgetown Foundation.
Bill had a private law practice from 1972 until his retirement in 2014. During this time, he was the District Attorney for the 26th Judicial District. He served on the Georgetown City Council for three terms and as Mayor for one term. He was an active member of the Board of Trustees for the Wesleyan Homes for 30+ years, a ministry to the elderly in the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
He was an NCAA certified track official in throwing events. He enjoyed snow skiing, refereeing college track events, wood working, bird hunting, and history and current events. He was also a voracious reader of a wide variety of genres. He was a member of the PLI reading group with an eclectic assortment of professional men since the mid 1970s. Bill was actively involved with Texas Ramp Building through Rotary and later with First United Methodist Church to help those with mobility challenges. He was part of the original supporters of Sleep in Heavenly Peace to provide beds to children in need. He passed away on May 5, 2024, of late-stage Parkinson’s disease.
Surviving Bill are his wife of 53 years, Donna, his son William Paul Connor and his wife Cristi, and his daughter Cynthia Connor Elden. Bill was the loving grandfather of 4 grandchildren: Ainsley and Will Connor and Danica and Nealey Elden. He is also survived by his sister Nancy Zama and her husband Allan, his brother Robert Connor and his wife Sue Jean White, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Celebration of Life will take place at First United Methodist Church in Georgetown on June 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to First United Methodist Church Georgetown, The Wesleyan Foundation, or Texas Ramp Project (PO Box 832065, Richardson, Texas 75083. Please add “Austin North Region” in the memo).