William Knight Easley

William Knight Easley, 89, of Waco, Texas, passed away August 14, 2025.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 25, 2025, in the chapel at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey funeral home in Waco, with a reception following in the garden room at the funeral home.

He was born February 13, 1936, in Waco to Ruth Lambert Easley and Knight Homan Easley.

Bill and his brother Charles grew up in a unique house located on the banks of the Bosque River outside of Waco. From an early age, Bill had a passion for fast cars and horses; his love of horses stayed with him throughout his life. He graduated from Waco High School in 1953 and attended Texas A&M University as a proud member of the Corps of Cadets. In 1957, Bill graduated with a degree in civil engineering and served in the United States Air Force for three years, based in Sumter, South Carolina. He and his first wife, Camille, then returned to Waco to care for his ailing mother-in-law.

Bill began his professional life in Waco as a civil engineer before transitioning to management of the family’s country club. Following the sale of the club, he worked in commercial real estate for several years before returning to his true passion - engineering. He worked the rest of his life as an engineering consultant.

Bill was a man of great faith who helped found Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Waco in 1961. He went on to serve on the vestries of both Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church in Waco and Our Lady of the Lake Anglican Church in Whitney, Texas. Coaching youth football was another passion of Bill’s, and he was active doing this for his son as well as his two grandsons. Second only to his faith and family, Bill’s passion for horses led him to teach hundreds of people how to ride. He took great joy in riding horses with his three grandchildren.

It is only fitting that Bill met the love of his life, Bernie Sheppard Easley, because of their mutual interest in horses. They married in 2009 and spent many happy years together at their home which they shared with a menagerie of animals. Together they cheered on the Aggie football team, were very active in their church and continued to share their delight in their horses with numerous friends.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice Easley, his children Dianne Camille Easley Bose (Craig) and Dan Hudson Easley (Carrie), his three beloved grandchildren William Hays Easley, Matthew Hudson Easley (Christina) and Camille Bose Dinwoodie (Andrew) and his great-granddaughter Mary Rose Easley. Bill is also survived by his stepson, Justin Sheppard.

Memorial contributions can be sent to Our Lady of the Lake Anglican Church, 660 FM 56, Clifton, TX 76634.

To cherish Bill's memory, a complimentary memorial keepsake of your choice is available here: Memorial Keepsake

The family invites you to leave a message or memory in Bill’s memorial guestbook at www.WHBfamily.com