William Carol “Toby” Preston

William Carol “Toby” Preston of Salado passed away November 7, 2013 after a short illness at the age of 87.

He was born in Loraine, Texas, to Pearl Richardson Preston and Ed Preston. 

He graduated from Loraine High School and worked in the oilfields of west Texas and for the Highway Department before being drafted into the US Army in 1944. Preston was a First Sergeant and Squad Leader at Fort Hood and Okinawa before being critically wounded. He was awarded three Purple Hearts before being honorably discharged in 1946. 

He met his wife, Blanche Strain Preston, and married her in 1948. Toby and Blanche had three children: Ronnie, Linda, and John (Ricky). 

Preston was an entrepreneur and held many jobs, including farmer and rancher and owner of an ice cream parlor, a flower shop, a wholesale oil company, gas stations, a wrecking yard, auto parts stores, a dress shop, and a grocery store. His was most proud of owning7-Bar Western Wear, where he made life-long friends and spent some of his most enjoyable days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pearl and Ed, and his son, Ronnie. 

His surviving family includes his wife, Blanche, daughter Linda, son John and his wife Juana, and daughter-in law Sherry. Grandchildren include David Preston and wife Jodee, Tristen (Williams) Bland and husband Jace, and Amber (Preston) Dankert and husband Will, and a step-granddaughter Misty and husband Kevin. He is also survied by seven great-grandchildren are Lauren, Jonathan, Reese and Jacob Preston, Maxton Dankert, and Chase and Tinley Bynum. 

Services were held at the 3C Cowboy Church in Salado on Nov. 11. In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made to the American Cancer Society.