William Alan (Bill) Pettry was born in Detroit, Michigan on Halloween Day, 1957. An old nursery rhyme proclaims Thursday’s child to be sour and sad, but not so our Bill. With a smile and happy, optimistic outlook Bill charmed his way, while his generosity and caring nature drew many to him throughout his life.
Following high school, Bill attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. Upon relocation to Texas, Bill pursued a Bachelor of Arts with a major in computer sciences at UT Austin. Before finishing, however, it became apparent that Bill’s future was not to be had computing, but rather through his art and desire to help people. He finished out his schooling studying art at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Throughout his life Bill held positions in the service industry such as hotel desk clerk, medical office receptionist, and an awesome position he enjoyed so much as concierge for Lake Austin Spa Resort.
Due to his battle with addiction, Bill experienced disability and homelessness in Austin, Texas. He learned of a community for the homeless that was in development, which is now called Community First! Village and through perseverance, Bill became one of the first members of the community – a pioneer if you will. In the community Bill was able to have a home, plant a garden, make friends, help with beautification projects, and live independently while producing and selling art under his pen name Eon Zaway. Bill lived life on his own terms until he couldn’t. After a cancer diagnosis in 2012 that left him disfigured with no teeth and a constant struggle for nourishment, he began to decline. Given his poor health he remained as independent and active as he could for way longer than anyone expected.
At the end of his days, Bill pioneered yet another service the village provides by becoming the first on-site hospice patient where he was well cared for and passed peacefully, surrounded by many friends. The family is grateful for the love and compassion shown to Bill throughout his tenure in the village.
Bill was the fifth child of six and is survived by brother Bob (Karen) Pettry, sisters Karen Lehman, Emmy Curnutte, Laura (Johann) Bonhart, and Ginny (Paul) Polansky, nephews Jeff (Teresa) Pettry and DJ Curnutte; nieces Erin (Dan) Potter and Laura Franzeca.
Bill’s internment service will be held at the Community First! Village in the near future. Information will be updated here when known.
Bill will always be known far and wide as an intelligent, creative, eccentric, fun-loving, and truly unique individual. He once answered the question on a form “What would you be willing to die for?” with the following: “When it is my time to die, that time is when or what I’ll be willing to die for.”
Peace is with you, Bill.
Donations: https://mlf.org/ways-to-give/
A small selection of Eon Zaway art prints are available for purchase: Art Prints
Internment
11:30 am Friday
May 2, 2025
Community First! Village
9301 Hog Eye Road
Austin, Texas 78724
