HOUSTON, TEXAS -- J. William "Bill" Paisley, longtime resident of Houston, and formerly of Marion, passed away on May 13, 2018 at the age of 94.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Joan, of almost 64 years; son, Robert (Kathy) Paisley; daughters Jody Delbridge and Julie (Matt) McCullough; grandchildren: James Paisley, Paul (Tiffany) Paisley, Stephen Paisley, Kristen McCullough, Zachary McCullough; great-granddaughter, Carolyn Paisley; and two older sisters, Betty Bangs of Boulder, Colorado and Anne Porteous of Carmel, Indiana.
Bill was born in 1923 to Oldham and Annetta Paisley of Marion, where Oldham was owner and publisher of the Marion Daily Republican. While growing up, Bill worked for his father in various capacities of the paper and was also the advertising manager of the Marion High School Yearbook.
Bill graduated from Purdue University with a degree in civil engineering.
He was a business manager of the Purdue Exponent, the university newspaper and a member of the Theta Chi fraternity.
He joined the Army reserves at Purdue and was called up for active duty at Camp Walters, Texas. He returned to school and finished his degree in 1945.
His first job out of school was with McGraw Hill Publishing Company in New York City, where he worked on the editorial staff before becoming the research manager for POWER magazine.
He then moved on to work for Esso Standard Oil Company at the Bayway Refinery in New Jersey, before joining the Corporate Marketing Department of Esso in New York City.
In 1962, he transferred to Houston where he participated in the work and decision-making process to choose the new company name of EXXON. Bill also provided research and presented his findings in London that convinced company leaders to launch the worldwide marketing campaign, "Put a Tiger in your Tank."
After 33 years of service with Exxon, Bill retired in 1986. He was very active with his church serving as deacon, elder, and president of numerous church organizations.
He was a Rotarian for many years and a Paul Harris Fellow. Bill never lost his sense of humor or his quick wit. A memorial service was held at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church on June 22, in Houston.
