Obituary of Billy (Bill) Max Banks

Billy (Bill) Max Banks, 89, of Dallas, TX passed away on October 21, 2019 in Dallas.  He was born on September 24, 1930 in Franklin County, TX to the late James and Ruth Banks.  Bill spent his childhood in the Mount Vernon area and was a graduate of the Mount Vernon High School.  He was drafted into the United States Army and served in the capacity of a Corporal for the Signal Corps Division.  He managed a group of eight soldiers in re-establishing communication by installing microwave links across Germany and France after WWII.  Bill married the love of his life for 67 years, Mary Lou Norris, on April 30, 1952.  Bill was a member of the Association of Old Crows and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.  Bill spent his life working as an Electrical Engineer and was a pioneer in the development of television technology, and later the US space program camera technology.  He enjoyed listening to and playing jazz guitar music.  Bill had strong convictions and was very involved in helping and serving in the Prison Ministry through his local church for 30 years.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Tom Banks.

Those he left behind to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Mary Lou Norris Banks; son, James Banks and wife Patricia of Magnolia, TX;  two daughters, Jody Banks Sims of Dallas, TX and MaryAnn Banks Begbie of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Charlotte Sims, Jennifer Sims, Rachel Banks, James Banks Jr., Rob Begbie III and Blair Begbie; great grandchildren, Robyn Banks, Kaytlynne Banks, Hunter McDowell and Presley McDowell; sister, Zelda Fruzia and husband Gerald of Spring, TX, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, TX.  Graveside Service is scheduled to follow visitation at 4:00 pm at Mount Vernon City Cemetery.