SHORT NOTICE: COMFIRMED: William Lee Potts, Retired, Veteran, US Army, Vietnam (43-26) 12 Mar 26
1701 Austin Hwy
San Antonio, TX 78218
USA
“SHORT NOTICE”
US ARMY RETIRED VETERAN – VIETNAM WAR
The family of Mr. William Lee Potts, a US Army (Ret.) Veteran, requests the presence and participation of the San Antonio Patriot Guard at the services, and the LEO supported procession, and graveside rendering of military honors of their loved one. We are honored to accept this invitation.
Dedication to God, family and country epitomized the life of William L (Bill) Potts. He was an honorable, courageous, honest, hardworking man whose pursuit of excellence was his guiding force. He loved flying, fishing, water skiing, traveling, popcorn, licorice, pancakes, lemon drops, and most of all his family. His life was filled with amazing and extraordinary opportunities.
The first grandchild of the Potts family and native Oklahoman, Bill’s foundational years were spent at Fort Reno, Oklahoma. Some of his earliest memories were of playing at the Fort, and of riding to school in the back of a fabric-covered, 2.5-ton truck. After moving to Oklahoma City with his parents, Bill filled his early years by riding his bike to throw papers for the Daily Oklahoman. His was the worst route in the worst neighborhood and it was given to him by his dad who was also his boss. That route laid the groundwork for his life, and taught him the invaluable lessons of hard work, perseverance, determination, and ethics. Other jobs included working at a movie theater where his love of popcorn blossomed, working as a cook at a drive-in movie theatre, being a soda jerk, and working at the same flour mill that most of his extended family worked at in previous years. Hard working self-reliance was always a mainstay in his life.
Oklahoma awarded 4 paper boys scholarships to college…Bill was one of those boys. The $400 scholarship afforded him the ability to attend Oklahoma A&M (OSU) for an entire year. During his time in college, he elected to join the advanced ROTC, was part of the glee club, and a member of Kappa Kappa Psi. During his last two years in college, he was the drum major for the Okla. A&M band and was known for being able to bend backwards and touch his shako (drum major’s hat) to the ground behind him while strutting.
He met Lila Jean Weeks on a blind date during his senior year in college. When he got home from the date, he awakened his mother to tell her he had met the gal he was going to marry…and he did. Lila Jean’s love for him was not quite as instant, but it was forever. While in basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., after a visit from Lila Jean, and after sending her home to Oklahoma on a bus, Bill realized he wanted to marry her. So, he proposed…over the phone! Not super romantic, but… she said yes, and they spent 68 years in joyful marriage. Life took the couple on quite a ride through their military career. A career that took them around the globe, and afforded two poor kids from Oklahoma an opportunity to see, have, and experience an extraordinary life.
Creating a family looked a little different for Bill. After eight years of marriage, he and Lila Jean adopted their son Steven in Tennessee and two years later, in Bogota Colombia, Laura was chosen as the newest addition to the Potts family. Shortly thereafter, Kathleen joined the ranks, in the conventional way, and thus their family was complete.
In addition to creating a family, Bill was becoming a true American hero. As a US Army officer, Bill had quite the career. He began as an infantry man who stood the DMZ in Korea while surviving the -35º temperatures. He became a senior paratrooper, but one day, after a jump, he looked up at the plane and thought, “Those guys are going to land that plane and head right to the officers club for a drink! I have to walk ALL the way back before I get to the O-Club. I am going to flight school!” So, he did.
If it could fly…Bill could fly it. He learned to fly in a fabric covered airplane, flew helicopters in combat, and one hour in a jet. He was one of only 37 instrument instructors for the Army who tested pilots to fly solely using their instruments. He earned his master aviator wings and senior parachute wings, attended Command and General Staff College, and was an NRA marksman. Throughout his military career he was awarded the following medals: 2 Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 2 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 20 Air Medals, 2 Army Commendation Medals (with Valor), 2 National Defense Service Medals, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (6 campaigns), RVN Gallantry Cross (with palm), Vietnam Campaign Medal, UN Korean Service medal, Colombian Air Force Pilot medal with one star.
After retirement, Bill became an entrepreneur. He and Lila Jean opened and successfully ran four liquor stores called The Bottle Shop. He also became the #1 Drum Major in the nation for the Shriner’s Drum and Bugle Corp. He flew with the Flying Fez aviators unit to get sick and burned children wherever they needed to go in the United States for treatment at the Shriner’s Hospitals. He became a professor at St Phillip’s University teaching the culinary arts. He and Lila Jean renovated their house and he single handedly laid all of the wood floors. He built things, painted things, and fixed things. He took care of his friends when they needed help, was the first to volunteer at church, and fixed all the things his grown kids broke on their houses whenever they would say “uh, Dad… see, this is what happened!” His honey-do list was long, but he was always ready to tackle any job.
Living life in community was the cornerstone of Bill and Lila Jean’s life. They were a fun, enthusiastic, and adventurous couple. Together they were foundational in starting multiple aviation social clubs who met for annual reunions around the U.S. They square danced, water skied, and RV’d to 44 out of 50 states. Never one to miss a party, Bill could always be counted on to cook something, stir something, play something, count the money for something, or lead something. He was never the life of the party, that was left to the love of his life Lila Jean. He was always steady “Just get it done!” kind of guy.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years and parents. He is survived by his son Steven Potts (Kari), daughter Laura Koester (David), daughter Kathleen Griffith (Kirk), grandsons Braiden and Colten Koester, and granddaughter Lila Griffith.
Bill absolutely loved to fly in the clouds. It was his favorite place to be. He said he found it incredibly peaceful. With his daughter by his side, Bill slipped his mortal coil on January 26, 2026. He was surrounded by the love of his family who will miss him more than we can imagine. He was welcomed into eternity, by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom he gave his life to at an early age (and was baptized at age 82), by his wife Lila Jean whom he missed so very much, and by the rest of his family.
Don’t you know he is loving Heaven right now flying everywhere he goes!
WEATHER: Hi 71 / Lo 48, 0 % Chance of Rain, 56 % Humidity, Wind: 14 mph NNE
REQUESTOR: Johnny G. Sandoval, Family SPOX
STAGING: 8:00 am, Thursday, March 12, 2026
Sunset Funeral Home & Memorial Park
1701 Austin Highway
San Antonio, Texas 78218
https://goo.gl/maps/fmSuvQiox3p
BRIEFING: 8:30 am
SERVICE: 9:00 am
Sunset Funeral Home & Memorial Park
1701 Austin Highway
San Antonio, Texas 78218
https://goo.gl/maps/fmSuvQiox3p
KSU: 10:30 am (Semper Gumby)
INTERMENT: 11:00 am – ASSEMBLY AREA (Call to Verify)
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Road
San Antonio, Texas 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/kQ68VALuUAptXpgS9
RC: Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson
bobtxpgr@gmail.com
FC: Charles “Music Man” Jones
Cj083206@gmail.com
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated and unless under special circumstances not allowed in processions. You do not have to have a motorcycle to participate in honoring our veterans.
2. Safety First: Please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also please do not forget your sun screen.
3. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and. NO TALKING, SMOKING, CHEWING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, OR CELL PHONE USE IN THE FLAG LINE!
***Safety Notice***
Before volunteering and/or attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders missions we encourage you to review all safety information below. Included are some potential safety concerns to be aware of, however this does not include the full scope of all potential hazards. Anyone attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders mission understands that they do so at their own risk. Neither the Patriot Guard Riders Organization nor its representatives are liable for any damages incurred on any PGR mission or event.
Funeral Processions/Escorts
EVERY RIDER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for their own safety at all times while riding in a funeral procession.
At NO TIME are any riders authorized to block any intersection or otherwise block or impede traffic laws in any way. Only Law Enforcement officials are authorized to block and/or impeded the lawful flow of traffic.
If you choose to fly a Flag on your bike you are SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for ensuring it is secured and not a danger to any other rider or traffic.
Warm Regards,
Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson
Asst. State Captain
Deputy State Captain
San Antonio Patriot Guard
Dignity, Honor, Respect
Cell: 562-413-2223
“We can’t all be heroes. Some of us get to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.”
Will Rogers