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������ý mourns the loss of William A. “Bill” Custard ’57, who passed away on March 4, 2025, at the age of 89. Custard was a pioneering expert in the oil and gas industry and a passionate advocate for many areas of ������ý, including the work of the Meadows Museum and School, the activities of the Cox School of Business, and the welfare and success of faculty and students. Along with his wife, Linda Pitts Custard ’60, ’99, Custard was an exemplary loyal Mustang.

“We are deeply saddened at the loss of our friend, Bill Custard,” said ������ý President R. Gerald Turner. “His visionary leadership, generosity of time and resources, and his genuine interest in many areas across our University made an extraordinary impact on our community. He will be missed for the profound difference he made in the lives of students and colleagues at ������ý.”

Custard received a Bachelor of Business Administration in banking and finance from ������ý’s Cox School of Business in 1957 and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 2009, he was honored by the Cox School with its Distinguished Alumni Award for his pioneering leadership in the oil and gas industry.

Custard served on the Cox School of Business Executive Board, the Maguire Energy Institute, and the L. Frank Pitts Energy Leadership Nominating and Award Committee, among others.

In 2024, the Custards contributed a gift to the development of the David B. Miller Business Quadrangle, home of the Cox School of Business, naming the Linda P. Custard and William A. Custard Conference Room.

As a reflection of their love of ������ý students, along with Linda Custard’s father, the late L. Frank Pitts, the Custards provided support for four endowed President’s Scholarships supporting arts and business students. They also established in 2010 the William A. and Linda P. Custard Meadows Scholar Endowment Fund.

In 2013, along with matching funds from The Meadows Foundation, the Custards established and endowed the position of the Linda P. and William A. Custard Director of the Meadows Museum and Centennial Chair in the Meadows School of the Arts at ������ý. In 2021, they made a gift, matched by funds from The Meadows Foundation, to establish the Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture at the Meadows Museum. In addition, the gift named the Institute’s director position in honor of Mark A. Roglán, who had led the museum since 2006. The Custard family were recipients of the Mustang Award in 2022, the highest recognition for philanthropy at ������ý.

“Bill was the true embodiment of generosity and devotion,” said Peter Miller, president and CEO of The Meadows Foundation. “Meeting him just once was enough to see the depth of his love and affection for Linda and their family, and to understand what a cherished friend he was to the people of Dallas. Together with Linda, Bill’s incredible support of the Meadows Museum elevated it in ways that were and continue to be both transformative and enduring. His commitment to establishing The Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture and ensuring the museum’s world-renowned reputation will be one of his lasting legacies. The Meadows family and The Meadows Foundation will forever honor Bill and his visionary spirit.”

The Custards have also been loyal supporters of ������ý’s student activities, championing Mustang football and ������ý Spirit programs such as the Mustang Band. Always eager to promote the traditions of the University, the Custards are well known for their regular attendance at games, attending nearly every home football game at Ford Stadium since its opening in 2000.

Custard was the president, CEO and director of Dallas Production Company, a privately held oil and gas operating company focused on onshore and domestic operations in numerous states, and president of Custard and Pitts Investment Company. He was a member of the National Petroleum Council, along with a number of other petroleum industry organizations.

Beyond his business endeavors, Custard was committed to civic and cultural initiatives in Dallas. He served on the World Affairs Council Dallas-Fort Worth board of advisors, was a life trustee and former board chair of the Dallas Theater ������ý, and president of the United Cerebral Palsy of Dallas and of Texas. He was a former chair of the investment committee of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

In 2000, the Custards received the TACA/Neiman Marcus Silver Cup Award for their contributions to the arts and were recognized by the Dallas Opera with the Juanita and Henry S. Miller, Jr. Founders award in 2005 – given to individuals who have made exceptional volunteer and philanthropic contributions to the opera.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous legacy of Bill Custard,” said Brad E. Cheves, ������ý senior vice president for Development and External Affairs. “Bill’s business acumen was second only to his and Linda’s unwavering care of and dedication to our Mustang community – always sharing new ideas for creating connections with students, faculty and alumni. His legacy is one that extends far beyond the borders of ������ý’s campus, and his passion for ������ý will continue to inspire us all for years to come.”

William A. Custard is survived by his wife, Linda Pitts Custard; his son, W. Allen Custard, III ’85 and his wife Mason; daughter, Marla Custard and her partner Karen McCrocklin; and daughter, Laura Custard Hurt and her fiancé Richard Burcham.

Contributions in his memory can be made to the following: Custard Institute at ������ý (, select Donate, select Custard Institute of Spanish Art & Culture or PO Box 750357, Dallas, TX 75275-0357), Southwestern Medical Foundation (), Baylor Scott & White (), Cardiology Research at UT Southwestern Medical School (), or a charity of your choice.

Memorial service information and the family’s obituary is available .

You can read The Dallas Morning News coverage of Bill Custard’s life and legacy .