Dr. William "Bill" Boaz Gumm

Dr. William Boaz Gumm of Colleyville, TX passed into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the age of 76. Bill was born on April 13, 1949 in Fort Worth, TX to Charles C. Gumm, Jr and Mary Borden Gumm.

After growing up in Fort Worth, Bill attended high school at the Shattuck Military Academy in Fairbault, MN. He continued on to receive his BS degree (History, Psychology - UT), M.Ed. (Counseling - UNT) and his PhD (Psychology - TWU). While pursuing of his advanced education, Bill enjoyed a wealth of work experience, most of which centered around working with youth. He served as both HS and college instructor, MHT in residential treatment centers, LD Specialist at Austin State Hosp, Crime Prevention and Drug Education instructor, Counseling Center Therapist in various educational settings, Executive Director of Youth Advocates (counseling center for legally involved youth) in Shreveport, LA, where he met the love of his life, Ranee. Upon completion of his doctorate Bill and Ranee married and had three children, Elizabeth, Caroline (who died as an infant) and William.

Bill served as the school psychologist for HEB ISD for eight years following the completion of his PhD. During that time, he also hosted the interview-based TV program, “Health Education and Awareness” for the HEB Health Education TV. Bill met many wonderful lifelong friends and colleagues during his tenure at HEB. He and Ranee, both psychologists, opened their private practice, Gumm Psychological Services (GPS), in the mid-cities area and were blessed to practice 43 wonderful years together. In the early years of private practice, they opened Generations: A Family Place, which was one of the very first intensive outpatient facilities in this area, serving children, adolescents and their families. Bill continued to practice until his passing.

Bill was an amazing and beautiful human being. He delighted family and friends alike with his dry, sly and very quick humor, and impressed all with his extreme intelligence and knowledge! He was a lifelong student of his profession, his faith and health related topics. A devoted life-long athlete, he enjoyed competitive tennis (placing third in the state of Texas during HS), running, rowing and free weights. After becoming mobility impaired by a spinal cord injury in 2008, he never quit his workout regimen, he simply began to adjust his workouts around his mobility challenges. It was through this life experience that the Lord began to use Bill to help others faced with life altering circumstances. As a testament to his faith, and with impressive grace, resilience and determination, he handled this devastating injury. He continually evolved his workouts to meet his increasingly oppressive and limiting physical condition. Ultimately, this body he so intentionally cared for, became his prison. But his faith, love, ready humor and pursuit of growth through learning never failed. His mind stayed sharp and active until the very end. He was truly a lifelong student! In his practice, he was always introducing clients to the newest evolutions in the management of the mind-body connection. Bill could be at once playful, and yet forth-right and persistent in motivating clients to better care of their mental and physical wellbeing.

We rejoice and take solace in knowing that he is now free and liberated from this physical bondage, certain he is now exploring the circumference of heaven through his long-lost love of running!

Bill was a committed Christian, devoted husband and father, and cherished friend to all. It was his joy to share his faith, love, knowledge and laughter with family, friends and clients, both young and old. He had a rare and impressive way of connecting to and caring for children, adolescents and adults alike. Bill leaves an unspeakable void in the lives of so many who knew and loved him.

Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Caroline, his parents, his beloved brother, Charles, and numerous other dear friends and family.

He leaves behind his wife and life partner of nearly 50 years, Dr. Ranee B Gumm, of Colleyville, TX; his daughter, Dr. Elizabeth A Gumm of Murrieta, CA; his son and wife, William W Gumm and Taylor H Gumm, of Franklin, TN, his deeply beloved grandchildren Oaken John Gumm, Gideon Boaz Gumm, and Daisy Caroline Gumm; his sisters and spouse, Gail Hazelwood and Thomas Hazelwood of Cleburne, TX, and Laurie Davenport, of McAllen, TX; his brother-in-law and wife, Billy Dean Beaty, Jr and Patty A Beaty of Mt Vernon, IL; dear friend, Lisa Canalas of Hurst, TX, and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends far and wide.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. A Celebration of Life video will be prepared and posted on social media in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Holy Saints Church in Franklin, TN, Saints Classical Academy in Spring Hill, TN, ACH Child and Family Services of Fort Worth or the ASPCA, all of which Bill strongly supported.

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!"