William Thomas Graham, Sr.

On October 5, 2026, our hearts were broken as we said goodbye to a very special man, Sergeant First Class William Thomas Graham, Sr. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the people who loved him most.

To the world, he was a soldier, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, and a friend. But to us, he was so much more. He was Dad. He was Pawpaw. He was family. He was home.

William proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam era, retiring as a Sergeant First Class. He later retired from the Texas National Guard. He dedicated many years of his life to serving his country, but the role he cherished most was being there for his family.

He was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back and never think twice about it. If somebody needed help, he was there. If somebody needed something fixed, he would figure it out. If you needed a meal, a helping hand, a story, or simply someone to sit with, Pawpaw was there.

He loved staying busy and working with his hands. He enjoyed working on cars, gardening, making knives, and cooking. But nothing compared to the happiness he found in his family. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren deeply and took great pride in spoiling them. The memories they made with him—the stories, the laughs, the meals, the little things he did just because he loved them—will be treasured forever.

William was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sherry Jean Graham; his parents, Douglas Copeland Graham and Fleta Mae Graham; his granddaughter, Megan Brittni Graham; his great grandson, Julian; and his sisters, Maxine Gillam, Mary Wages, and Annette Post.

Although our hearts ache because he is no longer here, his life continues through the family he loved so fiercely.

He leaves behind his brother, Loyd Douglas Graham and Peggy Graham; his sister, Brenda Ferguson; his children, Billy and Paula Graham and Sheila Graham; his grandchildren, Caitlynn and Jaylon, Cody and Shantiera, Jaiden and Samuel, and Aliviah and Ethan; and his great-grandchildren, Emmy, Ayva, Junior, Ilayah, Daniel, and Nae’lani. He was being well taken care of by his caregiver Jennifer Denton.

Each of them carries a piece of him.

We will remember his voice, his stories, his stubbornness, his humor, his helping hands, and the way he loved his family in his own special way. We will remember watching him work on cars, tending to his garden, cooking, making things with his hands, and most of all, loving on his grandchildren.

There will be days when we wish we could call him. Days when we will want to hear his voice, see his smile, or have just one more conversation. There will be birthdays, holidays, family gatherings, and ordinary days when his absence will hurt the most.

But we will carry him with us.

We will tell his stories.

We will share his memories.

We will teach the little ones about the man who loved them.

And we will make sure they know just how special their Pawpaw was.

A great man has left this earth, but the love he gave us will never leave.

Rest peacefully, Pawpaw.

You spent your life taking care of everyone else.

Now it is time for you to rest.

We love you. We miss you. And we will carry you in our hearts until we see you again.

Forever our Pawpaw.

Forever our Dad.

Forever our hero.