Isreal Echols Jr.

Isreal Echols Jr. was born in Bynum, Texas on May 12, 1942. He was the third of eleven children born to the late Elder Isreal and Mother Bennie Mae Echols. Isreal affectionally became known as “Sonny” a nickname more than likely given to him by his Uncle Boy, Freeman Echols. It was a perfect moniker. He was full of laughter and always smiling, “Sonny” brought the sunshine into our lives.

Sonny was educated in the Waco Independent School District through the 10th grade. He completed his G.E.D. and later joined the Air Force. While in high school, Sonny excelled in agriculture and too pride in raising a calf (at the house) every year in high school for exhibition and sale at the Heart of Texas Fair. As a side note, Sonny was a professional marble shooter back in the day.

While working a plumbing job in San Antonio, Sonny met and fell in love with Fannie Bunton, and they were married on June 15, 1967. To this union they were blessed with two children, Pamela Echols and Isreal Echols III adding to their family that already included Fannie’s daughter Glady’s Henderson. They resided in Dallas, Texas until Fannie’s death on July 31, 1980.

After the death of his wife Fannie, Sonny worked and raised his children alone until he was introduced to Bobbie Jackson on a blind date. They were married on December 9, 1983, and were inseparable until his death on Monday January 20, 2025, at 6:30 am. They built a beautiful life of love together developing daily routines that allowed them to spend quality time together when not traveling the world.

Sonny was a hard-working family man. Over the years he worked for several plumbing companies in the Dallas area. In 1985 with over 30 years of work experience in the plumbing business, he decided to venture out to form his own one-man service and remodeling company, Echols Plumbing. As work progressed, in 1991 Sonny was joined in the business by his brother Luther Echols, who also had over 30 years work experience at industrial and commercial plumbing. The relationship turned the company into a 50/50 partnership with over 60 years of combined experience.

In 1999 the Echols brothers decided to allow their sons an opportunity to assume leadership roles in upper management within the company. The death of Luther Echols in January 2000 prompted Sonny to change the company’s name to Echols and Sons thus giving recognition to the sons and their standing within the company. In September of 2008 Sonny resigned from the business but continued to serve as mentor and advisor until his death.

On Monday, January 20th, Isreal” Sonny” Echols took his wings and was called from labor to reward. He is preceded in death by wife Fannie Echols, Parents Elder Isreal and Mother Bennie Mae Echols, 4 brothers, Luther Lee Echols, Anthony Douglas Echols, Elder Donald Ray Echols, Elder Timothy Eugene Echols, Sister, Missionary Janice Marie Echols, Daughter, Gladys Henderson and great granddaughter De’Riah Owens.

He leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Bobbie Echols, Daughter, Pamela Echols, Son, Israel Echols III, of Dallas Texas. Stepchildren: LaDonna Smith, Carl Hawkins, Steve Hawkins, and Tony Hawkins all of Dallas, TX. Sister, Barbara Ann Wilder, Waco, TX, Brothers Williams Arthur Echols, (Pearline) Houston TX, Virgil Wayne Echols, (Angela) of Arlington, TX., Grandchildren: Yvette Henderson Pratt, (Giovanni) of San Antonio, TX, Claude Henderson II (Taminka) of Richmond, TX, Kevin Watkins Jr. (Bobbi) of Houston, TX, Isreal Echols IV, Gregory Echols, Mikayla Gaut and Moriah Gaut of Dallas, Texas, 9 great grandchildren , A special nephew and business partner, Raymond Echols, special daughter-in-law Charlmaine Echols and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.