William Jeffrey Singleton

William Jeffrey “Jeff” Singleton, 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 20, 2023, in Mabank, Texas. A memorial service will be held at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, Texas on Friday at 2:00 PM, visitation at 1:30 PM. William Jeffrey Singleton will be privately interred in the Aggie Field of Honor Cemetery, College Station, Texas in a family ceremony. In leu of flowers please make donations to The Association of Former Students, Texas A&M University.

Jeff was the second oldest of six children born to James M. Singleton III and Elizabeth Welsh Singleton in Reading, PA on October 11, 1944. Jeff and his family moved to San Antonio, Texas while Jeff and his brother and sisters were still children. He was a graduate of Alamo Heights High School. He raised his family, built his career, made lifelong friends and relationships, and lived the rest of his life in Texas.

Singleton was a graduate of Texas A&M University, Class of ’66, with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Business Administration. To say Jeff Singleton was a REAL AGGIE is an understatement.  He reveled in his time in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, company E-1, and proudly served as a Ross Volunteer. The traditions, ideals, and relationships formed in College Station gave him a sound foundation on which he built a successful life. He met annually with old classmates and continued his support of his university throughout his life.  He was extremely proud to be part of the five generations of Singletons and countless family members that have attended Texas A&M.

Singleton was a veteran of the United States Armed Forces attaining the rank of captain in the US Army and served for two years in the Army Air Defense Artillery in Germany. After his return from military service Singleton began his career in the Dallas metroplex where he remained for most of his life.  He built a successful business in commercial real estate and later added professional consulting to his portfolio. He built a busy life of work and family, but he also found time to volunteer his talents as a public servant.  He was a board member on the Planning and Zoning Commission and later served as City Councilman, for the city of Irving, Texas.

Jeff Singleton and his brother, Jim, close in age and in all ways that mattered, shared birthdays, athletics, Texas A&M, and four younger sisters. The brothers have kept the family close throughout their lives, with many cousins, nieces, nephews, greats- and grands- joining the Singleton family lineage.

Singleton was most proud of his role as father and mentor to his five children. With four strong athletic sons, he took delight in having a lovely daughter of whom he was especially proud. Jeff’s five children will miss him as a thoughtful father and constant pillar of support.  God combined the strength of a mountain, the discipline of a parent, the patience of eternity, and some endearing stubbornness to create the man his children called dad. He always made it clear that being a father was a forever job, and he never stopped providing support, advice, and mentorship for his children.

He wore many titles: dad, son, brother, mentor, friend, but he was most enchanted with being “Grandpa” to his 10 grandchildren. The disciplinarian quickly morphed into the tolerant indulger, bringing toys and laughter to all—this was the absolute best of him.

Jeff Singleton spent his last years catching up with travels he had missed in his busy life: cruising down the Mississippi on a paddleboat; visiting the Holy Land after a complete re-read of the bible; living by the waters of Cedar Creek Lake and enjoying cheerful days with his friend, Kitty Whitted.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, James M. Singleton, III and his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Welsh Singleton. He is survived by son, W. Sam Singleton and his sons, Barrett, and Colton; son J. Alan Singleton and his wife, Maggie and their children, Grayson, Caroline, Ellie, and Lucy; son, Travis Singleton and his wife, Leslie and their daughters, Neely, and Tessa; daughter, Nicole Singleton and her sons, Axel, and Arias: and son, Thomas Singleton. As well, other family members include his sisters, Dottie Fournier, Virginia Munson, Jill Krudwig, and Holly Robinson and his brother, James M. (Jim) Singleton IV and wife, Stephanie Sale, and Miss Kitty, with whom he spent the last happy years of his life.

Jeff was a member of St. James on the Lake Episcopal in Mabank, Texas. He leaves countless friends there and elsewhere who will miss him greatly.