William Edward Ammons

Ed Ammons passed away March 8 at the age of 87 in Abilene. He was born August 8, 1932 to Gilbert and Roxie Ammons in Haskell. He was an educator for most of his working life, employed as a high school coach and school principal. He is survived by his wife Minnie and their sons Rusty and Brandon of Abilene and Odessa and daughter Risha Sanders of Abilene along with his grand-daughters Peyton and Pierson of Abilene. Brother Wayne Ammons of Lubbock; sisters Sue Conner of Lubbock, and Tula Whitney of Rogers, Arkansas He graduated from McMurry in 1955 and served in the United States Army from 1956-1958. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather to two wonderful grand-daughters he was able to watch grow up. After failing first grade due to excessively skipping school because he had better things to do with his time, he went on to be a standout athlete in high school and college. He earned a college scholarship with football and basketball. He chose football and started as a freshman at center for Texas Western (now Texas-El Paso) despite being a prolific running back in high school and left school when his buddies from close to home decided they were not coming back for the next semester. Not having a ride home, he left with them and went on to become an All-Conference defensive end and champion pole vaulter closer to home at McMurry. At various times, he had a window-washing business, a combine driving business, was an oilfield roughneck, truck driver, soldier, high school coach, educator and driving instructor among other things. He was an ardent Christian, Republican, family man and all-around good guy.. After retiring not entirely of his own accord after 30 years as an educator, he then worked ANOTHER 30 YEARS (this is absolutely true) on an almost daily basis as a substitute teacher for Abilene High School and Abilene Cooper because the money was "just too easy." He earned every cent of his Texas Teacher Retirement and then some.. During his time, he grew up in Haskell and lived in El Paso, Abilene, Snyder, Rotan, Weatherford, Clyde, Iraan, Hart and Merkel along with spending a couple of years in Germany in the military. With all of his life experiences, he always had a story to tell on most any subject and it was usually good for a laugh although not always intentionally. He was always happy and an eternal optimist who never let any of life’s setbacks get him down and unfailingly true of heart. He lived his life on his own terms and never imagined that anyone would ever have a bad thought about him because of something he said or did. He never wanted anything more than what he had, and he would not have changed anything about his life given the chance. We should all be so lucky. He was one-of-a-kind and there will never be another one like him, you can be sure. He will be missed by many and remembered by many more. Visitation will be Tuesday in Merkel at Starbuck Funeral Home from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Merkel. Burial will be at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene at 1 p.m.

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