William "Bill" Bartley Connolly , 64, of Center, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Tyler.

Visitation will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 26, 2025, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Porter Brewer officiating.  Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Shelby County.

Born August 15, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, Bill is the son of Martin Connolly and Dolores Burns Connolly.  On April 24, 1999, he became a Professional Land Surveyor.  A family man, Bill especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Bill was a member of First Baptist Church in Center, where he sang in the choir and was on the praise team.  He served as a trustee on the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Committee.

He is survived by his daughter, Chelsa Connolly of Longview; son, Chisom Connolly and wife Jaclyn of Center; grandchildren, Guinevere Burns of Longview, Augustus Burns of Longview, and Bohannon Burns of Longview, Lacee Connolly of Center, Ashton Connolly of Center, and Colton Connolly of Center; brother, Terry Connolly and wife Kelly of Fountain Valley, California; sisters, Karen and husband Rich Partlow of Naperville, Illinois and Judy Ventresca of Bradenton, Florida; 11 nieces and nephews; and his fiancé, Barbara Smith of Timpson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Martin Connolly and Dolores Burns Connolly.

Pallbearers will be Jake Liker, Cody Fountain, Todd Harris, Tim Dunn, Gage Watlington, and Von Henderson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Kid's Ministry, 117 Cora Street, Center, Texas, 75935 or Camp Deer Run at www.campdeerrun.com.