William Allen Peters passed away peacefully at his home in El Paso, Texas, on Sept. 2, 2024. His family is deeply grateful for the precious eight months they shared with him following his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in January.
William was born on October 3, 1940, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, to Luke and Katherine Young Campbell Peters. He graduated from Garland High School and earned his business administration degree from Texas Tech University, where he met and married Sherry Kemp Peters, a native of Alpine, Texas. This year marked their 60th wedding anniversary.
After graduation, Bill and Sherry moved to Dallas where he began his career with General Electric. They transferred to Louisville, Kentucky, and then to Schenectady, New York, where Bill joined the corporate audit staff. He then transferred with GE to be a region manager of small appliances in Naperville, Illinois. He later moved to San Antonio, Texas, to open a private CPA practice for eight years before he took a job in Alpine as the auditor and comptroller at Sul Ross State University. He closed his career at the University of Texas at El Paso where he was the director of audit for 14 years before retiring at 75.
His career in financial auditing required a high level of integrity and honesty, which flowed into every part of his life and the way he led his family. William also shared his financial acumen and spirit of service with his church and the Lion’s Club.
In recent years, William embraced new passions, including woodworking, spending time at the shooting range, collecting ball caps from his travels, reading Bible devotionals, and savoring huevos rancheros for breakfast.
He leaves behind a legacy of strong work ethic, faith in Jesus, and a reminder to savor life’s simple pleasures –– including a good steak, hummingbirds, gooey cinnamon rolls, cowboy art, and the sunset view from his home.
William is survived by his wife, Sherry; his two daughters, Elizabeth Peters and Emily Kuhnel; son-in-law, Benjamin Kuhnel; and his grandchildren, Hezekiah and Adeline. William also lovingly supported six foster children as a temporary grandfather.
A graveside memorial service was held at Elm Grove Cemetery in Alpine on Sept. 5, at 10:30 a.m. A celebration of William’s life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at his home in El Paso at 10:30 a.m.