Another WWII PT boater has gone out on eternal patrol. J.W. 'Bill' Walraven passed away in Corpus Christi in the presence of his family on December 12, 2013 at the age of 88.

He was born in Dallas on July 1, 1925, to Orange Daniel and Valerie Garrison Walraven. His father died four months later. He lived in Kingsville until he was eight, grew up in the Masonic Home in Fort Worth, served on what he called 'the only PT boat in the Pacific not commanded by John F. Kennedy,' and went on to graduate from Texas A&I University. There he met Marjorie Kathryn Yeager, his beloved 'Ricky,' who would become his bride, partner, and constant companion for 63 years.

He worked at the Caller Times as a police reporter, courthouse reporter, city hall reporter, business writer, oil writer, and Action Line columnist before 'retiring,' as he said, to write a general column appearing five days a week from 1974 to 1989. He retired for good, but continued writing, authoring several books on Texas and local history and collections of humor.

He was 'Bean' to his family, and was a sweet man, who loved his family and his dogs, Gin and Tonics, bad puns, his adopted Corpus Christi, and his fond memories of the Masonic Home, his Navy days, and scouring the bays for flounder with his brothers. He was an irreverent resister of authority who always seemed to get what he wanted. He enjoyed his work and could weave stories so effortlessly as to not be work at all. He was funny and kept his sense of humor to the end. His was truly a life well lived and he will be missed.

His parents, his brothers, Ferrell, Jack, and O.D., and his elder son, Wilson, the 'Star Boarder,' preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Ricky; his daughter, Valerie and son-in-law, John Davis, of Dallas, and grandchildren, John Davis, of Dallas, and Emily Davis, of New York City; his son, Joe, of Austin; and daughter Sandy Cline, and grandchildren Carly, Sami, and Buddy Cline, all of Fort Worth.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to Dr. Paul Heath, Dr. Christopher Brehm, and Dr. Baldimar Covarrubias for the care and attention provided over the last few years, and to the wonderful staff of Angel Bright Hospice for the compassionate service given in the final days.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, December 21, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Luke's, MD Anderson, or the Humane Society.