William James Childress

William James (Bill) Childress, 95, passed on May 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1928 to Roy and Effie (Lott) Childress, he was a longtime resident of Farmington. Bill was an educator for over 40 years. In Texas for over 10 years and in New Mexico from 1962-1988, he was a teacher or principle at several elementary schools in the area and was Director of Instruction for Farmington elementary schools for 15 years. He was also a Southern Baptist pastor or interim pastor for 36 years in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. He was a member of First Baptist Church Farmington for 50 years. He was married to Mildred (Barnes) for 68 years and Nancy Joe (Shepard) for 8 years. He loved gardening, fishing and traveling. Bill traveled to all fifty states and visited 13 foreign nations. In his later years, he resided in Wills Point and Houston Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife (Mildred), his 2nd wife (Nancy), four brothers, his eldest son (Jim) and daughter (Carolyn), and granddaughter (Laura). He is survived by his son, John Mark Childress and wife Kathy, daughter-in-law Renee, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, June 6, at Memory Gardens Cemetery 6917 E. Main St. Farmington, NM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity. Bills’ care is entrusted to Cope Memorial Chapel (505-327-5142).