1935 – 2023

Billy Jack Mann, 88, passed away in Dallas early Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.

Bill was born Dec. 24, 1935, in Canton, the son of Paul T Mann and Una (McLemore) Mann.

As a child, he grew up on their 125-acre farm in Canton with his four brothers, Irby, HC, Jerry, and John Paul, and his two sisters, Ava Flanagan and Jean McDonald. Bill loved to tell stories about his life in the country. He was a quiet man until he started talking about his family; then no one was spared the truth. He told the best stories, even if we had heard them 20 times. Bill lost his father when he was 15 years old. When his mother passed away, he was 17 years old and stayed on that family farm, taking care of himself until he went to live with his brother Irby, and his wife, Novie. Soon after, he moved in with his cousins, Don and David Mann during his college years at Southern Methodist University.

Bill served in the Korean War as a court reporter and received an honorable discharge. After leaving the service, he went to work for Atlantic Richfield Oil Company, where he retired after 30 years. His job took him to Canada and California, but it could never take the country out of the boy. Growing up, Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church of Canton, and later, the First United Methodist Church in Canton.

When he moved to Dallas, he made his home at Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson. He led Sunday School classes for years, loved Jesus with all his heart, and trusted the Lord with all his being. He was a true believer. In 1959, he married his first wife, Deanna Cox, in Dallas and they went on to have two children together, Mike and Cara.

On April 5, 1985, he married Chris Tipping, and they went on to have a daughter, Sydney Tipping Mann. Sydney was the brightness in his day and the light of his life. She passed away unexpectedly in 2021. Bill took comfort in knowing she was in the Lord’s hands, and we take comfort in knowing they are together again.

Survivors include his wife, Chris Mann, daughter and son-in-law, Cara and Scott Prentice, son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Maureen Mann, grandchildren, Aidan Prentice, Quinn Mann, and Liz Robinson and her husband, Bailey.

Bill recently became a great-grandfather to Fox Robinson, and never missed a chance to ask, “How’s that beautiful baby?” He was an incredibly hard worker and taking care of his family was one of his greatest joys and a source of pride.

A memorial service will be held on Jan. 20, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson.