William V. "Bill" Creager, Jr.

​

​Celebrating the Life of William V. “Bill” Creager, Jr.
July 3, 1934 – March 2, 2025

With gratitude and love, we celebrate the remarkable life of William “Bill” Creager, Jr. our beloved patriarch, who passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the age of 90. His love for his family and devotion to his country were unwavering.

Preceding him in death are his mother, Manuela Mendoza, sister Rosie Mendoza-Gonzalez, brother, Morris Mendoza, His Aunt/Mother, Cirilda Cardenas, two sons-in-law, Mauro P. Garcia, Jr. and Bernardo (Ben) Mendoza, and great-great-grandson, Tristan Matthew Soliz.

A retired & decorated U.S. Army Green Beret, 1st Sergeant Creager retired as a U.S. Civil Servant. He was a master paratrooper and had 120+ recorded jumps out of military aircraft.

Not only was he a true American patriot, but he was also a music man and an honorary member of the Roger Creager Band, traveling far and wide, singing his iconic Spanish song “Rancho Grande” to the masses. His vibrance and luster for life was undeniable, especially on stage. He performed at notable places such as Billy Bob’s, Gruene Hall, Cabo Fest in Cabo San Lucas, and Music Fest in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. His music spanned from California to Chicago to New York, as well as the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. His final time on stage was just after midnight on New Year's Eve.

His family was his greatest shining treasure. He swelled with pride sharing stories about his children and his many grandchildren. He leaves behind 6 children, Betty Lou Garcia (Pat Rogers), JoAnn Creager Mendoza (Joe Salaiz), Roy (Celeste) Creager, Roger (Chelsey) Creager, Kathy Creager, Randy Creager. One sister, Mary Creager-Rangel, one brother, Alfredo Cardenas, sisters-in-law, Ruth (Carlos) Salinas, and Alma Mendoza, brother-in-law, Roy Gonzalez, 15 grandchildren, Edith Trevino (Juan Salinas), Norma (Alfred) Soliz, Margo (Morris) Molina, Michael (Venessa) Garcia, Melissa (Joe) Elliott, Ruben (Kalen) Perez, Felicia (Rene) Gonzalez, Vanessa Torres, Morgan (Kort) Marley, Mason (Maegan) Creager, Rowan Jones, Audrey Creager, Ruby Creager, Ryan (Brittney) Creager, Caitlin Creager, (Adan Hayakahua), 34 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews he loved dearly.

One could say that Bill had a deep wanderlust, traveling across land & sea to experience life to the fullest. In true Hemingway fashion, he attended the famous running-with-the-bulls event at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Also, an adept skier, he spent a lot of time on the mountains in Utah & Colorado. He visited all 50 states, and he proudly saluted General Patton’s grave in Luxembourg. Bill lived an active lifestyle and ran 5 miles a day until he broke his back parachuting out of a helicopter. But nothing could keep him down. Exercise transitioned into fishing and country dancing. He even celebrated his 80th year of life by crowd surfing at the Redneck Country Club in Stafford and a nostalgic jog through Memorial Park in Houston. He lived a remarkable life and will be incredibly missed, and though his journey on this side of eternity has ended, a new and bright one has begun. Or best said in one of Bill’s favorite country songs, “I have seen my last tomorrow; I am holding my last breath; goodbye sweet world of sorrow; my new life begins with death.”-Randy Houser

Visitation Thursday, March 13, 2025 -From 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Interment Friday, March 14, 2025 @ 1:00 p.m. Corpus Christi State Veterans Cemetery 9974 I-37, Corpus Christi, TX 78410
​
Please keep the Creager family in your thoughts and prayers.

---