Bill Bridwell passed away peacefully on February 25, 2019 after a lengthy illness. Bill was born in Pumfrey, Texas. His parents were Leon and Flora Bridwell. In 1962 he married Elaine Bridwell in Abilene, TX. She preceded him in death. In 1998 he married Loretta Robertson in Grady, NM. They were married for 20 years.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wayne Bridwell of Las Vegas, NV, his uncle Bobby Bridwell of Hereford TX, his first Mother and Father-in-Law Raymond and Birdie Riley of Portales, NM. He is survived by Loretta Bridwell of Roswell, his five children Cynthia Robertson of Lampasas TX, Denise Windsor and her husband Kenneth Windsor of Portales NM, Richard Robertson and his wife Kathy of Carlsbad, NM, Donna Cypert of Roswell,Sean Robertson of Albuquerque. His 6 grandchildren. Rachel Windsor, Nathan Windsor, James Robertson , Richard Scott Robertson, Tarynn Simonton- Robertson and Anja Simonton- Robertson. He loved his family and was loved by them.
He graduated from High School in Winters TX and went on to attend McMurry Universty in Abilene TX. He met his first wife Elaine Riley at McMurry and they married and moved to Rogers NM where Bill was assigned to two churches in Dora and Inez as their pastor. They later moved to Portales where Bill took a position with Roosevelt County Electric where he worked for 28 years. He retired in 1990. Bill had several businesses including Portales Janitorial Cleaning Service and his janitorial supply company. After he sold his business he went back into the ministry and took a church in Grady NM. Bill didn’t know how to retire. He also was the chaplain for Farwell Convalescent Center. In 1998 he went to Sacramento Methodist Assembly to receive an award and met his second wife, Lorreta Robertson who was the administrative secretary for the camp. They lived in Portales until 2010 when Loretta retired from ENMU. At that time, they moved to her hometown of Roswell, NMwhere they resided. He also had a worship service on Sunday mornings at Peach Tree Village when they resided there.
Bills’s deep faith led him to counseling people, writing devotions and loving his fellow man. He loved his family and friends. His hobbies were watching sports and he was an avid Dallas Cowyboy fan. He participated as a Lay Reader in his church in Portales for many years. He was the Conference Lay Director for the Methodist church for 9 years. He held numerous positions within the Methodist Church over the years. He always had a smile on this face and put others before him. He was a strong Christian man and would witness to anyone. He will be missed by friends and family.
A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held Saturday March 2, 2019 at 10:00 AM.at First United Methodist Church in Portales NM with Rev. Laird Cross officiating. In Lieu of flowers he would like donations made to the Cowboy Bell Scholarship Fund at First united Methodist Church in Roswell NM or a charity of your choice.
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