Bill Genson, 84, died on June 15, 2026, at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs after a prolonged illness. He was born on February 16, 1942, in Spencer, Iowa.
He spent his childhood in Iowa. After attending school, he joined the US Marines. Following his recruitment at Fort Pendleton, CA, he was stationed aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 and served in many ports, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Boom Bay, Singapore, India, and many others.
After his enlistment in the service, he worked as a salesperson and greenskeeper at the Scottsdale Golf Club. Golf became one of his favorite hobbies. He then returned to his hometown, where he worked at a local TV facility and later at Olivetti-Underwood, selling and repairing typewriters and computers. He married LaDonna in 1966 and continued his education at Emmetsburg Community College, where he studied drafting. Later, he attended Iowa State University. After studying and working for Morton Buildings, he established his own company, Genson Construction, where he served as a master builder, specializing in remodeling homes in North Dallas. He and LaDonna moved to Plano, where he continued to run his business with his son, Shad, for the next 10 years.
He was married to LaDonna for 60 years while raising their children and traveling all over the world.
Mr. Genson is survived by his wife, LaDonna of Point; daughter, LaRena Phillips and husband David; son, Shad Genson and wife Kailey; four grandchildren, LaKayla, Kylee, Lucas and Pheonix; sister-in-law, Dee Olsen; brother-in-law, John Olsen; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Nina Genson; brother, Jack Genson; sister, Barbara Goodwin and brother-in-law, Jack Goodwin; nephew, Tim Goodwin; father-in-law, Lyle Hedge, mother-in-law, Lenora Hedge; in-laws, Gary and Mary Hedge; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.