William Steven Austin

William Steven Austin was born on January 25, 1963. As a child, he lived all over the United States and the Philippines. After obtaining his Bachelor's degree from LSU, he worked with a company in Shreveport, Louisiana that transferred him to Dallas in 1991. Steve met Jerry on October 26, 1991 on the 21-year date that never ended. After building a partnership of loving support for one another for twenty years, through moves, job changes, work travels, buying a home, good times and bad, they decided to mark their twentieth anniversary together by getting married in New Hampshire, on October 26, 2011, the happiest day of their lives. Steve was a devoted husband, kind, generous, sweet and loving. They were destined soul-mates.
They say that the true wealth of a person can be found in the love of friends which we leave behind and if so, Steve was wealthy beyond measure. Steve made friends all over the world in his professional and recreational travels. He made many life-long friends at CSW, Indus, XO Communications, and Brinks as an IT professional. He loved computers and loved solving the impossible puzzles. His delight in art and music was almost limitless, and he found immeasurable pleasure in visiting Art museums all over the world. An accomplished musician in his own right, he studied classical guitar before changing majors to computer science. Later he would say "my job is the weirdest ATM ever- I push buttons and they give me money!"
Steve found peace and comfort in the Buddhist writings of Thich Nhat Hanh after the death of his father. He was a caring soul, with deep spiritual beliefs, and an inquisitive mind. Steve found beauty where others saw none. He was a complex person with a simple wish to enjoy life and the unique moments it presented. He loved to laugh, and one could always find the joyful sparkle in his eyes with a devilish grin, as he poked a little fun at love and life.
Steve leaves a legacy of love and support for his family, the keeper of his heart, his husband and loving spouse of twenty-one years, Jerry Gray, his mother, Pat Austin, his brother, John Austin, Jr., sister, Trish Greene, and nephew, Trent Greene, his brother and sister in law, Chris and Stephanie Gray, his nieces and nephews, many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, John Austin, Sr. Steve believed that you have two families: the one you are born or marry into and the one you choose. Steve and Jerry were blessed to have both loving and supportive birth families as well as chosen families. Our chosen Family Tree was blessed both in numbers and in love, with many, many friends, old and new.

His family, including the many members of "family by choice" will gather to celebrate his Life on Monday, September 3, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Horizon Unitarian Church, 1641 West Hebron Parkway, Carrollton, Texas. We will have a lunch reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested donations to charities for Alzheimer's Foundation, American Cancer Society, and the Human Rights Campaign.