William Neal Fitzgerald, 98, passed away on May 7, 2025, in Vernon, Texas.

Neal was born on July 21, 1926, in Vernon to W.S. and Nellie Neal Fitzgerald.  He graduated from Northside High School in 1944 where he was the quarterback of the football team.

Neal joined the Navy in 1944 and served in the Pacific in the closing days of World War II, going to Japan at the end of the war. He left the Navy in 1946.  He graduated from Oklahoma A&M (Oklahoma State University) in 1950 with a degree in Animal Science.  He married Elizabeth Fulcher in Vernon on August 5, 1951. He engaged in farming and ranching on the family ranch established in 1899 by his grandfather, Charley Neal.  He had a number of interests at various times, including flying his own plane; model aircraft; photography; trap and skeet shooting; the weekly '42' game; and others.  At age 87 he fulfilled a long time goal of "seeing the elephants in the wild" by going on an African photo safari accompanied by his grandson Clay. Upon retirement Neal and Elizabeth moved from the farm to Vernon, where he was a member of the Rotary Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his wife Elizabeth, in 2009.  He is survived by his daughter, Mary Bearden and husband Jeff, son Joe Fitzgerald and wife Terri, all of Vernon; grandchildren Christi Schwartz and husband Drew of Madrid, Spain; Clayton Bearden and wife Megan of Houston; Ryan Fitzgerald and wife Allison of Lewisville; Josh Fitzgerald and wife Maraxtin of Wichita Falls; and seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Robert and wife Allene of Vernon, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Sullivan Funeral Home on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a graveside service to follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Fulcher Memorial Scholarship at Vernon College or to a favorite charity.