August 13, 1943 – September 6, 2006
William Gerald Bernard, 63, passed away in Dallas, TX on Sept. 6, 2006, after an eight-month battle with heart disease culminating with a heart transplant on July 5.
He was born in El Dorado, Union County, Ark., on Aug. 13, 1943. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul T. and Geraldine Slade Bernard.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Herring Bernard; sister, Ruth Bernard Visoski and husband, Steve, Houston; brother, Paul E. Bernard and wife, Toni, Fort Worth, TX; stepdaughter, Carol Ann Bassinger and husband, Steve, stepgrandchildren, Preston and Abby Bassinger, all of Plano, Texas.
Gerald was Chief Chemist for Valero Energy Corporation's Ardmore Refinery for over 26 years, retiring in 2001. He graduated with a degree in chemistry from Henderson State University, and was a member of numerous professional societies relating to the petroleum refining industry.
Other organizations and interests included the Union County (AR) Genealogical Society and the Oklahoma City (Snow) Ski Club. He was a former member of First Baptist Church of Ardmore.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 tonight at Young's Funeral Directors, 508 Champagnolle, El Dorado, Ark. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Woodlawn Cemetery in El Dorado with Dr. Lynn Worthen of First Baptist Church of El Dorado officiating. |