Bill Banks

Billy (Bill) Max Banks, 89, of Dallas, TX passed away on October 21, 2019 in Dallas. He was born on September 24, 1930 in Franklin County, TX to the late Edgar and Emodell Banks. Bill spent his childhood the Prairie Grove and Mt Vernon area and was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. In Tyler, TX, at Tyler Commercial College, he studied electronics. After graduation he went to work at radio stations as a First Class Operator. He was drafted into the United States Army and served in the capacity of a Corporal for the Signal Corps. Bill married the love of his life for 67 years, Mary Lou Norris, on April 30 1952. Bill spent his life working as an Electronics Engineer and was a pioneer in the development of television technology and the US space program camera technology. Bill was a member of the Association of Old Crows, IEEE and was a life time member of the Musicians union. He opened his Banks Electronic shop where he repaired, built amplifiers and did modifications for other musicians. He had his own line of amplifiers. He formed The Bill Banks Combo and played nights and week-ends. Benedetto Manhattan was his favorite guitar and on his second Manhattan he added a 7th string and delighted creating chords to traditional jazz rom the 20s, 30s and 40s. He enjoyed the local jazz labs at the schools around Dallas and substituted for local jazz bands. Bill had strong religious convictions and was very involved in helping others and serving in a prison ministry through his church for 30 years. He will be missed by family, industry, and musicians alike.