Obituary for William (Bill) Thomas Maitland
William Thomas Maitland was born July 12th, 1947 at Asbury Hospital in Minneapolis,
Minnesota to Betty Jeanne and Harry Edward Maitland. He moved to Chicago with his mother
and older brother, Larry, at approximately four years old, where he rode the “L” and enjoyed
snow fights with his brother. At age nine, Bill and his family moved with his uncle Lloyd and aunt
Marge to Dallas, Texas. In Dallas, Bill made a lifelong friend in Emmett Henderson, who took
him to his first Naval Reserve Meeting. He joined the Naval Reserve at age seventeen. During
his time in the Navy, he would travel the Mediterranean Sea, visiting Greece, Istanbul, Italy,
Rome, Spain and more.
After two years of service, he returned to work for the City of Dallas as a dispatcher for the
Dallas Police Department. He would eventually become a warrant officer and city marshal. In
1979, while working in the marshal’s office, he met and fell in love with fellow court employee,
Dianne Carol Smith. Bill and Dianne married in the heatwave of July 26th, 1980 and were
married for 40 years before his passing. For a cerebral man who lived in his mind, he became
an instant father to Dianne’s two daughters, Tracy Maitland and Cara McCallum. Bill was a most
loving, caring, and generous father to his children and went on to become a father figure and
adoring grandfather to four grandchildren; Teara Mendez, Donovan McCallum, Caitlyn Chapa,
and David William Chapa. His greatest pride and joy was his family. He is also survived by five
great-grandchildren; Parker, Cayden, Lake, Canyon, and Tristan.
Bill was a history buff and avid reader of fiction and nonfiction; including history, biographies,
detective mysteries, science fiction, and Western novels; reading every book written by Louis
L’Amour. He also enjoyed relaxing and listening to audiobooks with his wife. He and Dianne
also shared a love of Native American and Mexican culture and art, even traveling to Mexico.
Bill was funny, sarcastic, and saw the beauty and worth of everyone around him. He could be a
stern, by-the-book man, but always acted justly with compassion, patience, and concern. He
was referred to affectionately by his employees and coworkers as Mr.Bill and is remembered by
many as their best employer. He also volunteered much of his time to Boy Scout and
cheerleading duties for his grandchildren.
Bill eventually transferred to the City of Irving, where he retired as court operations manager in
2013. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dallas, where he was baptized and
confirmed, and attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Irving.
Bill passed on October 20th, 2020 at VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit at Methodist Dallas Medical
Center surrounded by family.
His family will cherish his memory and all of the qualities he instilled in them. Their arms are
empty, but their lives are not having known and loved him.
Minnesota to Betty Jeanne and Harry Edward Maitland. He moved to Chicago with his mother
and older brother, Larry, at approximately four years old, where he rode the “L” and enjoyed
snow fights with his brother. At age nine, Bill and his family moved with his uncle Lloyd and aunt
Marge to Dallas, Texas. In Dallas, Bill made a lifelong friend in Emmett Henderson, who took
him to his first Naval Reserve Meeting. He joined the Naval Reserve at age seventeen. During
his time in the Navy, he would travel the Mediterranean Sea, visiting Greece, Istanbul, Italy,
Rome, Spain and more.
After two years of service, he returned to work for the City of Dallas as a dispatcher for the
Dallas Police Department. He would eventually become a warrant officer and city marshal. In
1979, while working in the marshal’s office, he met and fell in love with fellow court employee,
Dianne Carol Smith. Bill and Dianne married in the heatwave of July 26th, 1980 and were
married for 40 years before his passing. For a cerebral man who lived in his mind, he became
an instant father to Dianne’s two daughters, Tracy Maitland and Cara McCallum. Bill was a most
loving, caring, and generous father to his children and went on to become a father figure and
adoring grandfather to four grandchildren; Teara Mendez, Donovan McCallum, Caitlyn Chapa,
and David William Chapa. His greatest pride and joy was his family. He is also survived by five
great-grandchildren; Parker, Cayden, Lake, Canyon, and Tristan.
Bill was a history buff and avid reader of fiction and nonfiction; including history, biographies,
detective mysteries, science fiction, and Western novels; reading every book written by Louis
L’Amour. He also enjoyed relaxing and listening to audiobooks with his wife. He and Dianne
also shared a love of Native American and Mexican culture and art, even traveling to Mexico.
Bill was funny, sarcastic, and saw the beauty and worth of everyone around him. He could be a
stern, by-the-book man, but always acted justly with compassion, patience, and concern. He
was referred to affectionately by his employees and coworkers as Mr.Bill and is remembered by
many as their best employer. He also volunteered much of his time to Boy Scout and
cheerleading duties for his grandchildren.
Bill eventually transferred to the City of Irving, where he retired as court operations manager in
2013. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dallas, where he was baptized and
confirmed, and attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Irving.
Bill passed on October 20th, 2020 at VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit at Methodist Dallas Medical
Center surrounded by family.
His family will cherish his memory and all of the qualities he instilled in them. Their arms are
empty, but their lives are not having known and loved him.