Willie (Bill) Griffin

Willie (Bill) Durrum Griffin died at the age of 96, at home. Bill was born seven miles west of Clarksville on the Pinson Place in Red River County, on July 18, 1927 to Ell and Rejina Noe Griffin.

Growing up, Bill and his father raised cattle and grew corn until he moved his family to California on July 12, 1950. There, he and his wife raised six children. He worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad until he retired, then moved his family back to Texas on September 22, 1974.

Bill loved to dance; he would go every week until the age of 92 – when, as he would say, “his get up and go has gone up and went.” He will be truly missed.

He was preceded in death by a son, Roger Griffin; grandson, Ricky Merrill; granddaughter, Patricia Owens; great-grandson, Devin Elmore; and son-in-law, Roy Merrill.

Left to cherish his memory are his ex-wife, Pearlene Griffin, who bore his six children and remained his close friend; son, Tony (wife Maria) Griffin; daughters, Brenda Griffin, Billie Merrill, Debbie Griffin, Joanne (husband Gerald) Beshirs; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was loved very much.

Willie was buried in Rosalie-Smith Cemetery along with his father, mother, brothers, and sister.

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