Obituaries

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William (Bill) Albert Nevill died at the age of 93 in Plano, Texas on May 20, 2022 from complications following a stroke.  He was born on January 1, 1929 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the only son of Irwin Nevill and Marie Barker Nevill.  Bill’s childhood was defined by the Great Depression and World War II.  He was an excellent student and graduated from Indianapolis Howe High School in 1947, with activities including sports team manager, science club and newsletter.

After High School, Bill entered Butler University in Indianapolis, graduating magna cum laude in 1951 with a B.S.  He was then accepted into the doctoral program of California Institute of Technology (CalTech) and received his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1954, working as a graduate assistance to Dr. Linus Pauling, who later won two Nobel Prizes.

Immediately following college, Bill was drafted into the US Army and served two years, later transitioning to the Army Reserve with many years of active duty in Virginia, retiring as a full Colonel.  He was employed as a research chemist with Proctor & Gamble and worked on the team that invented Crest toothpaste in 1955.

Most of Bill’s career was spent in academia.  He was chairman of the Chemistry department at Grinnell College in Iowa from 1956 to 1967.  Moving back to the Indianapolis area, he taught classes at Indiana-Purdue University (IUPUI) and moved through the administrative ranks, rising to become Dean of the School of Science and Director of Graduate Studies by 1983.  He also was an arbitrator for the Indiana Employment Relations board.  After that, his family moved to Shreveport where he became Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Louisiana State University (LSUS), eventually retiring in 1994.  He was a life-long member of the American Chemical Society and served as section secretary, counselor and chairman at various times.  He served on multiple foundation boards in Indiana and received research grants from the Eli Lilly Foundation, the National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research for his Ph.D. dissertation, and National Institute of Health for leukemia research at University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Bill and Nancy retired to Wintergreen, Virginia after leaving Shreveport.  Bill loved working in his garden and caring for various new plantings at the Nature Foundation of Wintergreen.  He also donated his time to provide chemistry demonstrations at local schools and served as a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for child custody cases in his county, for which he won an outstanding achievement award.

The Presbyterian church was Bill’s home for almost his entire life, including Second Presbyterian in Indianapolis, First Presbyterian in Shreveport, Rockfish Presbyterian in Nellysford, VA, and Canyon Creek Presbyterian in Richardson, TX. Along with his wife, he supported various committees, served as Elder, and was chosen to represent the local Presbytery at a few national General Assembly meetings. 

Most recently, Bill was an active member of the Highland Springs community in Dallas, Texas.  He was a member of the garden club, chess club and supported a number of prayer and Bible study groups.  His legacy there is a beautiful garden plot with gladiolas and roses, his favorite flowers.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy (House) in 1978 and his beloved wife of 43 years, Nancy (Neiman) in February 2022.  He is survived by children Paul, John, Steven, Anne, and Deborah, 11 grandchildren, and 3 1/2 great-grandchildren.      

Patsy passed on to heaven April 25, 2022 after a 9-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Her survivors are her devoted husband of 68 years, Dennis; her daughter Deborah Lott and husband Jay; her grandchildren, Haley Poss and husband Kyle, Jake Springer, Laynie Ogilvie, her husband Daniel, and Gracie Lott; her great grandchildren, Charlotte, Annie and Noah Poss, Witt and Austin Ogilvie; nieces, Amanda Ashford, Sue Parker and Toni Ferrel; nephew John Ashford and wife Cathy, and numerous grand nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth and Charles Davis; her sisters Betty and Mary Lou; her nephew Mike; and her daughter Cyndi Blankinship Springer.

Patsy grew up in Texarkana and Conroe Texas. She had a full, rich and wonderful childhood. She had a passion for nature, swimming, books, art, and music. During high school she was in the concert and marching bands playing both the french horn and the drums. She remained close friends with many of her childhood, high school, and band member friends for her entire life. She joined the swim team where she became a competitive diver. She even enjoyed one year as a local beauty queen.

Patsy entered the University of North Texas where she joined the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She left college early so she could marry Dennis when he graduated and before he had to serve in the Air Force. They later moved to Richardson where they raised their daughters and spent most of their lives.

Patsy was a devoted wife and mother. She brought the classics to life for Cyndi and Debbie.  She instilled her love of nature, swimming, poetry, writing, books, music, art, and her creative spirit and motherly magic into her girls' hearts and minds. She was a Girl Scout troop leader, member of the DAR, ZTA alumnus, Patio Artists, Richardson Junior League, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, and numerous book clubs. She became an accomplished watercolor artist and teacher. Some of her paintings still hang on the walls of some of the finest homes in the area.

Patsy later served on the Board of Directors for Keyston Oil and Gas. She spent many years helping to manage the company's oil, gas, and landholding interest.  Patsy loved to travel. She traveled to Europe several times and other interesting parts of the world.  Patsy went back to school in the early 80's and earned her BA in Art History from the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Patsy had a gift of making every everyone she knew feel special.  She was like another mother to many of Cyndi and Debbie's friends.  Whether it was just bandaging and kissing boo boos, or brainstorming for classroom projects, Patsy was always open, available and enthusiastic.  Her faith in God, her "can do" spirit, sweet smile and joyous laughter will be forever burned into the hearts of all who loved her.  We rejoice now in her life well lived. She was a devout Christian And is now happily kneeling at the feet of Jesus.

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William Allen Rathgeber, 73, of Dallas, Texas, passed away at homesurrounded by family on September 7, 2020, after a 7-year battle with cancer. Bill was born on December 16, 1946 in DuBois, Pennsylvania to William D. Rathgeber and Marian Jane (Allen) Rathgeber. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico, where he played center and long snapper for the Lobos football team, and earned a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri. He married Cathryn Stooksberry on June 10, 1972, in Amarillo, Texas. 

Bill proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as did his father, brother and sister, retiring as a Lt. Colonel after twenty years. During his service, he managed programs for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post,  Presidential Support Communications, and Air Force One. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Bill joined Rockwell Collins in Plano as an engineer and program manager specializing in communications systems.  He retired from Rockwell in 2009.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved golf, skiing, and especially camping with his two sons.  Bill participated as an adult leader in his sons’ Boy Scout troops, Troops 221 and 1001. He accompanied them on countless camping, backpacking, canoeing, diving, and climbing trips and was extremely proud that both sons attained the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Bill also loved hockey, faithfully attending both his sons’ games and fanatically following his Dallas Stars. He was an active member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder.  His return to the Holy Land with the church was a highlight.

Bill is survived by Cathy, his wife of 48 years, his son Bryan (Margaret), sister Susan (BJ), brother David (InSuk), as well as beloved extended family and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey and his parents.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23

Click here to view Nancy's Memorial Service on Feburary 19, 2022

Nancy Ruth Nevill died at the age of 75 on February 8, 2022 fromcomplications of COVID-19. She was born on December 28, 1946, the daughter of Charles E. Neiman and Milded Ruth Neiman. Her childhood was spent in Indianapolis in a modernized log cabin located on a small lake, part of land owned by Eli Lilly & Co. Construction of a dam with resulting flooding forced a move of the family directly to the Lilly estate. Charles was land manager of the estate which included the greenhouse. From this experience Nancy always enjoyed fresh cut flowers in the home. 

After High School Nancy entered Indianapolis Methodist Hospital Nursing School graduating in 1966 with a Registered Nurse (RN) degree. She was then employed by Indiana University General Hospital. During the next several years she gained experience, among other specialties, in neonatal, psychotherapy, and dialysis nursing. She was on the National Research Team which first explored the question of whether home dialysis was better for the patient than a dialysis hospital center. (It is not!)  Following her marriage to William (Bill) Nevill in 1979 the family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where she volunteered at the hospital of Barksdale Airforce Base. What started as a few days a week resulted in full time management of the operating rooms.  This led to employment at Willis-Knighton Medical Center in eye surgery and later organ transplant surgery.

She was a founding officer of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses. At Highland Springs she chaired the Health and Wellness Committee which oversees the Medical Program.

The church and singing were a major part of Nancy’s life. From a 10-year-old soloist at Crooked Creek Baptist Church with her family, to the Adult Choirs at Indianapolis 2^nd Presbyterian, Shreveport Presbyterian, Canyon Creek Presbyterian, and Rockfish Presbyterian churches she lived her faith in song.

She was a courageous and dedicated wife and stepmother having, at age 33, married Bill, a 50-year-old widower with 5 children.  It worked—for 42years!

She was an avid church member.  As Deacon she attended to the spiritual and physical needs of the congregation.  As Elder she served on several Sessions and was Clerk of the Rockfish Session for many years.  At the Presbytery level she served on the Ministerial Relations Committee which handles personnel relationships of pastors.

Nancy is survived by her brother, Joseph Neiman, husband, Bill Nevill, 5 children: Paul, John, Steven, Anne, and Deborah, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.                  

Click here to view George's Memorial Service on January 14, 2022.

In loving memory of George J. Tahu Jr. who passed away on January 6, 2022, at the age of 85. George is survived by his wife, Betsy, and his son, George III, his daughter, Tiffany, as well as “young” George’s family—wife Molly, and their two sons, Jackson and Benjamin. George was born in Dallas, Texas, to Helen and George Tahu, who predeceased him. His sibling, Jim Tahu, predeceased him and is survived by one daughter, Kristina. He is survived by his other sibling, Jerry Tahu and his wife Janie and daughter Carrie.

George graduated from Highland Park High School and spent eight years serving in the U.S. Navy Air Reserves. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He married Betsy and shortly after their marriage, they moved to Richardson, Texas, where they built the house that has been their home ever since.

George worked for Hewlett Packard/Agilent for 42 years, providing test and measurement system solutions for his customers. He is a life member of IEEE and was the recipient of the Third Millennium Medal. He was very involved with his son’s life by serving as a scout leader for the Boy Scouts, soccer coach, and proud promoter of NASA missions to Mars (by wearing shirts given to him by his son). He was also right beside his daughter, ready with video camera in hand, for ice skating competitions, high school drill team performances, and a constant support throughout her careers in advertising and education. Another source of satisfaction came from being a long-time member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and on various committees in service to the congregation.  George found great happiness in helping others.  He is already greatly missed.