William Ross “Bill” Irion 
His chores were all done here. He left on his trip to his forever home on July 26, 2024. The Irions became a family of 4 when he joined Robert Ragsdale Irion and Katherine Elizabeth Folsom Irion along with the sister he loved and adored Karen Kay Irion on January 11, 1947 in Paris Texas.
Bill attended East Paris Elementary, Paris High School, Paris Junior College and graduated with his Bachelors degree in business from Texas Tech University. He spent several summers in Philmont Boy Scout Camp and earned his Eagle Scout Badge.
Bill moved to Albuquerque, N.M., shortly after college and fell in love with New Mexico. Bills’ dream was to go back and retire there. Bills’ favorite vacations were spent with his son Jeremiah traveling to Red River, N.M., where he enjoyed skiing, riding dirt bikes up to Greenie Peak and off roading.
Bill loved building as a youngster. His parents never knew what the picnic table was going to be made into. His grandfather supplied the nails. He made houses and boats out of the picnic tables. As Bill grew older, he had the need for speed. Again his grandfather was there to get him a lawn mower motor that he mounted to his bike, which turned into a scooter without brakes, when he wore out a new pair of shoes in a few weeks his Dad began investigating and was informed Bill was delivering newspapers on his scooter, that was the end of that.
Bill loved his sister, Karen and admired her determination to live life her way. Karen was always here for him and Jeremiah. Bill thought Karen was the strongest women he knew.
Bill said he went to Oklahoma for a wife and he found her in September 1992 in Madill, Oklahoma. Bill and Lola McDaniel married January 21, 1993 in Pottsboro, Texas. They spent their first 27 years at Lake Texoma before Lola said, “I’m moving home.” Bill found his people in Atoka. He was in awe of the love and kindness he discovered. He finally understood Okies and what great people they are.
Lola introduced Bill to Beavers Bend where he finally agreed it was the next best thing to New Mexico. Bill made his greatest decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in September 2018. He was a proud member of Harmony Baptist Church. When Bill was asked, do you know where you will spend eternity he would smile and say, Heaven.
Bill enjoyed boating, trains and planes. He built many model planes and boats that he proudly displayed. He was the best Grandaddy and Papa to his beloved Grandchildren. He built them a great fort that served as a fort, a ship and hideout. He made fishing poles from bamboo, cut out fish and painted them, attached to the line, placed a rowboat by the fort so they could fish from their ship and Grandad had to get in the boat to pull the line when they felt a bite. Bill also made the kids a covered wagon so they could travel west for Gold. Bill was always teaching the kids about life, working, earning money, car maintenance, saving money and having fun.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Irion and Folsom and a baby Irion.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lola Irion of Atoka; son, Jeremiah Irion of Gainesville, Texas; sister, Karen Finney and husband Dake of Winnsboro, Texas; step-children: Keith Capps of Canyon Lake, Texas, Kimberly Capps of Durant, Okla.; nephew, Billy Gill and wife Kim; great-nephew, Cameron Gill; very special daughter-in-law, Josie Irion of Pottsboro, Texas; his beloved grands: Army Staff Sargent Bradley Capps of Wahiawa, Hawaii, Brooke Capps of Camarillo, California, Megan Irion of Sherman, Texas, Jackson Seay of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Mason Seay of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Grace Irion of Pottsboro, Texas; special friends Leroy and Juanita Hanzel, Luke Alberta and Ryder Hurt.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on August 3, 2024, a the Harmony Baptist Church with Pastor Jay Willoughby officiating. His final resting place will be at the McDaniel Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home.
