William “Bill” Frederick Miranda, Sr.
William “Bill” Frederick Miranda, Sr., 86, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. He was born December 19, 1936, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Ruby Dean Webb Miranda and Vincent Albert Miranda.
Bill was a loving husband, father, brother and loyal friend. He never met a stranger, having a ready smile, quick witted joke, and a helping hand for everyone he met. He lived a full and colorful life and had many entertaining and fascinating life stories to share. He was born in Baton Rouge and was the son of Italian immigrant, Vincent A. Miranda, proprietor of The Brunswick in downtown Baton Rouge, where Bill learned his hard work ethic and eventually met his wife. He attended Sewanee Military Academy in Tennessee and used his athleticism and strength to compete in football, wrestling, boxing and gymnastics. However, it was Bill’s love of nature that began as a young child spending time with family in the countryside of Oak Grove, Louisiana hunting and fishing that prompted him to pursue a forestry degree from Louisiana State University and a career in forestry management in east Texas. After graduating from college, Bill married his first love, Gail Vorhoff.
Bill was in the ROTC program at LSU and then served proudly in the United States Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, achieving the rank of Captain in field artillery. In his lifetime, Bill fought forest fires in Oregon, estimated Timber in the jungles of Honduras, and marked timber all over Louisiana and the East Texas Piney Woods. As Bill progressed into management at Southwestern Timber Company in Jasper, Texas, his friendliness and persuasiveness made him well-suited for his role in public relations and lobbying for the interests of the forestry industry. In this capacity, he organized trips to view the Apollo moon launches at Cape Canaveral, Florida and actively campaigned in east Texas for political candidates such as President Richard Nixon, Senator Lloyd Benson and Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe, as well as many other local elected officials. While working for Temple-Eastex Incorporated, he was involved with the development of the Big Thicket National Preserve. In 1974, Bill and Gail moved their three children to Beaumont where Bill would eventually start a new career as a real estate broker, developer and property manager. Upon leaving the forestry industry, Bill initially worked for Bella Construction Company. However, as his real estate and property investments expanded with partners. Bill then became the manager of GHM Investments.
Bill and Gail were married for 57 years until she passed in 2016. He was a loving and devoted family man and spent quality time with them all. He would play all sorts of games with his family, including dominos, ping-pong, pool, horseshoes and of course, golf. He coached Little League baseball and was the resident quarterback for the neighborhood football games on Ivy Lane. He would often share his love of nature with his children, taking them all out hunting, fishing at Lake Rayburn and water skiing along the Neches River. He also loved surf fishing at Crystal Beach and spending time at their beach cabin at Sandy Shores with family and friends. Bill was active at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church and in his community. Always a competitor, Bill was passionate about weightlifting (and socializing) at the gym and loved playing golf over the years with fellow golf members at Rayburn Country Club, Beaumont Country Club and Brentwood Golf Club. He loved to compete and often said he was “a good loser but an even better winner.” In 1997, Bill was appointed to the Board of the Jefferson County Drainage District 6 and served as Secretary and Vice President in his twenty years of service. He also continued to be actively involved in real estate until his retirement in 2021. In the last six years of his life, Bill was fortunate to meet and eventually marry in 2021, the second love of his life, Hazel Adair. She shared his passion for golf and love of travel. He embarked on several new adventures with Hazel, her children and grandchildren. Bill touched countless lives in his nearly 87 years, and he will leave a lasting legacy in the many friends and family that will carry his memory.
Bill is survived by his wife, Hazel Adair-Miranda; children, Bill Miranda, Jr. and his wife, Liz, of Richardson; Linda Miranda Gaudio and husband, Mark, of Scottsdale, Arizona; Jeff Miranda of Austin; Jimmy Adair and his wife, Vicki, of Orange; Janice Haney and her husband, Rusty, of Amarillo; Johnny Adair and his wife, Jessica Garth-Adair, of Beaumont; grandchildren, Meredith Miller and husband, Chance; Hillary Hard and her husband, Matt; Christopher Gaudio; Zachary Miranda; Trey Miranda; Chase Miranda; Jeromy Adair and his wife, Kristi; Julie Adair; Eric Haney and his wife, Kate; Ty Abshire; Tory Abshire; Tate Whitney; True Whitney; and Thadius Adair; great-grandchildren, Thomas Miller; Rylee Ward; Jayden Adair; Luke Adair; Jaycob Adair; Loki Adair; Paige Haney; and Avery Haney; and sister, Elaine Miranda Miller.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gail Vorhoff Miranda; grandson, Tye Adair; siblings, Vincent Webb Miranda, Patricia Miranda Bonnette, and Edward Ruskin Miranda.
A Rosary for Mr. Miranda will be recited at 5:00 p.m., with a gathering of his family and friends to follow until 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 8, 2023, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 9, 2023, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. His interment with military honors will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306; The Gift of Life Prostate Screening Program, 2390 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706; or the Garth House, 1895 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Video
Rosary
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- December 8, 2023
- 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- December 8, 2023
- 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church
- 6825, Gladys Ave, Beaumont, TX, 77706,
- December 9, 2023
- 10:00 am
Interment with Military Honors
Magnolia Cemetery
- 2291, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
I MET BILL IN 1960 WHEN WE WORKED IN HONDURAS FOR A CONSULTING FORESTER. IT WAS A GOOD JOB AND PAID US WELL. WE HAD A CAMP NEAR THE TOWN OF TEGUCIGALPA. WE FLEW TO WORKNIN HELICOPTERS AND MADE A FEW DOLLARS DOING SO. IT WAS A GOOD JOB AND A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. I DID KNOW BILL BEFORE THEN; THOUGH HE WAS FROM BATON ROUGE AND I WAS FROM BOGALUSA. HE GRADUATED FROM LSU AND I FROM LOUISIANA TECH. WE BECAME FRIENDS AND LATER ENDED UP WORKING FOR THE SAME COMPABY IN TEXAS. A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE THE MEMORY OF THOSE TIMES AND THE MEN THAT I WORKED WITH. I WILL NEVER FORGET BILL AND OUR TIES TOGETHER. A GOOD FRIEND AND A TRULY GOOD MAN. DUB I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN UP “THERE”.
Just learned of Bill’s passing earlier today. Becky & I extend our condolences to the family and unfortunately are not able to visit with the family.
Always enjoyed the opportunity to visit with Bill and Gaile. In more recent years we also enjoyed visiting with Hazel.
Bill gave a lot back to the community in a variety of ways. Becky & I truly appreciated Bill’s efforts in supporting Becky when he would volunteer to help in a variety of ways with her campaign efforts. Bill will be missed by those that had an opportunity to call him a friend.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Bill, Linda and Jeff, I am so sorry for your loss.
I hold the most wonderful memories of your amazing dad; he was so kind, funny and caring.
I remember all of the games on Ivy Lane and how he made living on that street so much fun for all of us kids. What a blessing it was to have had that childhood!
He was so thoughtful and caring and demonstrated it to me and my family on many countless occasions; I am forever grateful for his love and friendship. As I got older and moved away from Ivy Ln, I would stop by to say hello during visit to my parents house, and he was always quick with a hug, making time to catch up and share stories. He and your sweet mom were such amazing people and I feel truly blessed to have known them both.
Sending you all much love, and wishing you peace in knowing that he is home and resting in Gods loving arms.
My condolences and prayers to his family. I adored Mr. Bill and his tenacious spirit! He definitely will always be my one and favorite Exygon gym member. He was always knew how to make us all smile with his humor and kindness. You are so very missed already Mr. Bill!
So very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I knew Bill when he and Gail lived in Jasper. We went to the same church. I often would baby sit for them. Prayers for his family.
Hazel and family- we are so sorry for your loss – Thoughts and prayers for you!
Hazel, I am so sorry to hear that Bill has passed away.
If there is anything I can do for you, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Thank you so much Carol have missed seeing you
Hazel and Family, so sorry to hear about Mr Bill! Always loved seeing you two at McKenzies! Prayers and hugs!
Peggy and Monroe Foreman
Bill, I’m so sorry for your loss. You, and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Andy
I am so sorry. Prayers for the family. Joyce
Thank you
Dearest Hazel….My heart is broken for you in the loss of your precious Bill! What a sweetheart of a guy! You two and Diane and Dan were two of the first friends we ever made at Mckenzies. We loved y’all immediately!! I remember a few weeks ago he held on to the bar stool and just danced around it!! 🕺🏼What a hoot he was. Please let us know if we can help in any way. All our love, Miriam & Greg ♥️
Thank you for the sweet thoughts he loved everyone at Mackenzie’s best friends ever
Mr. Miranda was a very nice man. He watched over my memaw Betty Hebert when she was living in the trailer park. Rip
Thank you
Thank you for your prayers.
A fine man has gone to Heaven. RIP, Bill. You will certainly be missed
Thank you
Our prayers for Bill’s family. May God help you through this difficult time ❤️