William E. Abernathy, 61, Makoti, died Saturday, May 23, 2026 in his home.

William was born February 3, 1965, in Corpus Christi, TX to William Sr. and Virginia (Knight) Abernathy. He was raised and educated in Marshall, Texas graduating from Marshall High School.

Billy started his career in the trucking business as a delivery driver for Mrs. Bairds Bread Company out of Marshall. He was united in marriage to Hazel Hatfield on February 28, 1986. They made their home in Marshall and were blessed with two sons, Logan and Patrick.

Billy enlisted into the US Army on September 9, 1987. He served his country honorably during Operation Just Cause and in preparation for Operation Desert Storm. He was discharged from active duty on November 21, 1990.

Following his military service, he returned home to Texas and continued his trucking career advancing to an owner/operator of his own eighteen wheeler through the 1990’s. Billy then started work on the railroad and served as an engineer for a decade for the Kansas City Southern Railway over his fifteen year tenure before the trucking industry called for his return. Billy went to work in the oilfields of Texas, starting as a winch truck operator. In April of 2022, he joined his son Patrick in North Dakota, braving blizzard conditions and feet of snow in his first days on the job providing water transport services. He was currently employed at Mongoose Trucking & Hotshot out of Parshall, ND.

Billy worked hard and he played hard. He was an outdoorsman at his core, bass fishing and hunting were always at the top of the list on days off from work. He won a number of bass tournaments while in Texas and had many successful hunts over the years.

He was a lifelong member of the Baptist faith and was a Southern Baptist Minister. He will be remembered for his generosity, love of fishing and hunting and adoration for his family.

William is survived by his loving wife Hazel Abernathy, Makoti, ND; son Patrick Abernathy; grandchildren Clarissa Konrad and Logan Abernathy and mother of his grandchildren Rebecca Konrad; siblings Walter (Connie) Abernathy, New Dianna, TX, Jeanie Abernathy, twins Austin (Theresa) Abernathy and Justin Abernathy and Velinda Abernathy, all of Marshall, Texas; mother-in-law Margaret Newman, Taylorsville, NC; sisters-in-law Helen Hatfield, Marshall, TX, and Laura (Thomas Kirby) Bueche, Jefferson, TX; brother-in-law Keith Knight, Las Vegas, NV along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

William was preceded in death by his parents, son Logan Abernathy, father-in-law Bruce Hatfield and sister-in-law Harriet Roberts.

Service to Honor William Abernathy: 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026 at First Lutheran Church, Plaza, ND.

Interment: East Community Cemetery, Plaza, ND

Visitation: Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Plaza, ND.