Bill W Slayton joined the love of his life, his wife Norma, in the presence of our Lord on Sunday, February 9, 2025.

Services will be held February 17, 2025, at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 740 Edmonds Ln, Lewisville, TX 75067. Viewing will be 10:00 – 11:00 am, Services at 11:00 am, brief graveside at Greenwood Cemetery (northeast of Decatur, TX) to follow.

Bill was born Baby Boy Slayton on October 7, 1935, in Decatur, Texas to Charlie Wingate Slayton and Mary Ruth (Fortenberry) Slayton. He grew up in the Greenwood community where he became known as Billy. That pesky birth certificate did not get changed until later in life, in 1996. Bill is survived by his brother, Paul of Roswell, New Mexico; son, R.D. Slayton (spouse Sherry) and his daughter, Londa (spouse Barry); Six grandchildren Alex, Amber, Brooke, Clint, Bethany, and Brianna (in order by age); eight great-grandchildren Riley, Lexi, Jacob, Paxton, Grady, Lilly, Tripp, and Kate (in order by age). He is proceeded in death by his parents, his wife of 70 years, Norma Jean, and one grandson, Brent.
While it is difficult to capture an influential life in a few short words, we can say there was a great host of witnesses to welcome Bill home, from his more than 65 years of ministry. Bill led many to faith in his Lord Jesus, influenced multiple generations of preachers, encouraged the growth of Sunday Schools and churches across several states, and hosted an annual Pastor's Conference on Missions in Mexico. Bill surrendered to the call of the Gospel in Lubbock, Texas. In preparation for that call, he attended Baptist Bible Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX, graduating in 1956. He pastored Baptist churches in Texas; Dumas (1950's), Fort Worth (1950's-60's), Athens (1960's), and Farmers Branch/Carrollton (1960's-2000's). Following his retirement from active pastoring, for another 18 years until COVID impacted his health, Bill supported many pastor friends across North Texas through pulpit supply.

While his contemporaries are passed on, those he influenced and mentored in ministry continue the traditions handed down by a life of influence. The Brother Slayton stories are numerous and humorous, such as his trying to roll colorful phrases into a sermon, or his witty motivational sayings. He was a collector, an avid bargain hunter. His collection of Breyer Horses, wagons of all formats, rusty garage sale tools, Case pocketknives, and stylish suits to name a few. But his crowing collector's achievement is the thousands of sermon outlines collected from others or developed at his International Office (McDonalds-bargain senior coffee!), written on napkins and paper scraps, self-bound into notebooks, and written on the margins of numerous Bibles.

A funeral service will be held February 17, 2025, 11:00 am, at Mulkey Mason Funeral Home, 740 S. Edmonds Ln., Lewisville, TX 75067. The visitation is one hour prior to the service.