William Preston

John Wayne once said, Well, there are some things a man just cant run away from. Although unable to escape the final calling of our Savior, William Carol Toby Preston, 87, passed away peacefully on November 7th after a short illness.
Toby was born April 21, 1926, in Loraine, Texas, to Pearl Richardson Preston and Ed Preston. He graduated from Loraine High School and worked in the oilfields of west Texas and for the Highway Department before being drafted into the US Army in 1944. Toby courageously served as a First Sergeant and Squad Leader at Fort Hood and Okinawa before being critically wounded. His hardheaded dedication helped him overcome the injuries, and he was awarded three Purple Hearts before being honorably discharged in 1946. Years later, Toby was asked why he was wounded so many times in the back. He grinned, leaned back in his chair, and said, Well, every time, I was trying to run
Toby met his wife, Blanche Strain Preston, and married her in 1948. Toby and Blanche had three rambunctious children: Ronnie, Linda, and John Ricky. Ronnie, the authoritative son, tried to keep everyone in line. Linda, the freespirited daughter, tried hard to swim against the current. Ricky, the worker bee, was always hard at work either at his job or on his golf swing.
Toby was an entrepreneur and held many jobs. During a family gathering, while playing a game of cards with the family, Toby and Blanche would laugh as they shared stories of the variety of businesses they had owned over the years. Toby was a farmer and rancher, owned an ice cream parlor, a flower shop, a wholesale oil company, gas stations, a wrecking yard, auto parts stores, a dress shop, and a grocery store. However, his proudest accomplishment was 7Bar Western Wear, where he made lifelong friends and spent some of his most enjoyable days.
Toby was preceded in death by his parents, Pearl and Ed, and his son, Ronnie. Toby built a proud and confident family to serve as his legacy. His surviving family includes his wife, Blanche, daughter Linda, son John and his wife Juana, and daughterin law Sherry. Grandchildren include David Preston and wife Jodee, Tristen Williams Bland and husband Jace, and Amber Preston Dankert and husband Will, and a stepgrandaughter Misty and husband Kevin. Greatgrandchildren are Lauren, Jonathan, Reese and Jacob Preston, Maxton Dankert, and Chase and Tinley Bynum.
Visitation will be held at Heartfield Funeral Home in Belton from 4pm to 6pm on Sunday. Services will be held at 2pm at the 3C Cowboy Church in Salado on Monday. In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made to the American Cancer Society.
Toby was Grandad to many more as he went through life. He was a friend, mentor, and second father to those with whom he worked or knew. His magnetic personality and vast business knowledge created many lasting friendships. As George Strait so eloquently sang, The last goodbyes the hardest one to say, and this is where the cowboy rides away.

Visitation

Heartfield Funeral Home
503 North Main Street
Belton, TX  76513
Sunday, November 10, 2013
4:006:00 PM

Service

Funeral

3C Cowboy FellowshipHav
16258 Gooseneck Rd.
Salado, TX  76571
Monday, November 11, 2013
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Salado Cemtery
1000 Baines Street
Salado, TX  76571

Memorial Contributions

P.O. Box 22718
Oklahoma City, OK  73123-1718