William (Bill) E. James, Jr. died on March, 10, 2017 in Las Cruces, New Mexico at age 92. Bill was born on September 25, 1924 at his father's ranch on Sierra Grande Mountain near Des Moines, New Mexico. A Memorial Service will be held at East Mesa Baptist Church, Las Cruces on March 17 at 10:30 AM. Bill served in the 99th Army Infantry Division during World War II. He was a prisoner of war in Germany until the war ended. He was the recipient of several medals including the Expert Marksman, Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, POW Medal, and the Purple Heart Medal. After the war ended, Bill returned to college and received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree from Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College in Goodwell, Oklahoma and his Master of Science Degree from Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater, Oklahoma. He taught vocational agriculture in Hoehne, Colorado and Bayard, Nebraska. He then moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico and taught science classes at Chaparral Junior High. He was named "Best Earth Science Teacher" for New Mexico in 1973. After completing the Specialist in Education Degree from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, he finished his career as assistant principal at Chaparral Junior High and then Principal at Buena Vista Elementary School, retiring in 1984 with 34 years in education, 23 of which were in Alamogordo.Bill was active in his service to God and served as a deacon, adult Bible teacher, and treasurer throughout his lifetime. He also served as a bi-vocational pastor at churches in Nebraska and New Mexico and as a church strengthener during retirement years in Oregon. He expressed that he was thrilled to have been a participant in helping splitting church congregations reunite, once in Nebraska and once in New Mexico.Bill was preceded in death by wife Marguerite Ethel Taylor, second wife, Margaret Alice Dunbar, and stepdaughter Carol Christensen. He is survived by daughter Wanda (Jim) Pratt of Las Cruces; sons William (Betty) E. James, III of San Angelo, Texas, and Charles (Judy) James of Las Cruces; stepson James Dunbar of Placitas, New Mexico; stepdaughter Karen (David) Haldeman of Valdesta, Georgia; and 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Mary Ellen Warren of Taos, New Mexico and brother Wayne (Barbara) James of Vermillion, South Dakota.Memorial gifts may be made to New Mexico Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 629, Portales, New Mexico 88130.