Will Stuart Givens

Will Stuart Givens was born on November 18, 1937, in Austin, Texas. He passed away on March 26, 2024, in Round Rock, Texas, at the age of 86.

Will was also known as Bill in some circles leading one friend to dub him Will/Bill. He attended Austin High School and shortly after graduation, joined the US Navy where he served for more than 10 years. The Navy was clearly the best time of his life resulting in more Navy stories told over beers than even he could count. Everyone looked forward to his next Navy experience when he was around.

After he had been around the world a few times, he left the Navy and went to work for IBM as a mechanical engineer. He worked at the Burnet Road campus from the early days up until he retired before the age of 60 after 30 years of service.

Along the path of life, he married Barbara and they were together for a short couple of years. They had no children together. This was during the time he worked for IBM. His parents lived long lives and Will/Bill was their caretaker. He spent a lot of time looking after them and their affairs.

Will/Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. Many stories came from the hill country deer lease camps where he and his friends would go year after year. Fishing trips filled the gap after and between deer seasons. Favorites included going to Port O’Connor with Ken Payne and friends. Ken owned a sheet metal shop on North Loop in Austin. The shop served as the local watering hole for a number of regulars for a number of years until Ken retired and moved to Crockett, Texas. It was also a place where guys from many professions came together. Plumbers, carpenters, electricians, gas company workers, state employees…you get the picture! The point is this kind of social network always led to getting things done when needed.

And then there is the Ranch. Bill met Harold Mallett at Ken Payne’s Shop back in the early 1970’s. When Harold and T.C. bought the Double M Ranch near Elgin, Bill continued his weekends at the Ranch with T.C., helping with whatever projects were underway. Type Store became part of the scene along the way and many friendships were forged with regulars at Type and the Ranch.

Now we all know Will/Bill enjoyed his guns. He loved to talk about shooting animals, but truthfully deer and hogs got the most of his attention. His little dog, Penny, lived for 15 years and was a constant companion wherever he went. She is buried near the Ranch on the Boutwell place.

Bill requested his ashes be spread on the Ranch and also by Penny’s grave. May his stories live on.