William J. Pan, aka Buckshot, Mr. B, Bill, age 79, formerly of Montgomery, currently of Cold Spring, TX, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026. Bill was born to Annabelle (Bauer) Pan and Harry Pan of Montgomery on September 23, 1946. From here is where Bill’s story began! At a very young age, Bill would play guitar in his grandmother’s yard and sing songs; some of these songs he would make up. This may have been the start of his music career!
Bill volunteered in the US Army in 1965. He was then sent to Vietnam and did a one-year tour, from 1966-1967. He was then stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where he was discharged in 1968.
In 1969, he married Janet Peroutka and they resided in Montgomery, MN. Here they raised two daughters, Lesley and Stacey. Bill, sometime later, bought an Emmons Pedal Steel Guitar and would play cassette tapes and taught himself to play the Pedal Steel. Bill also had an audience! His two daughters would listen to him play for hours.
In 1987, Bill moved to Austin, TX, “The Live Music Capital of the World!”. He continued his passion for playing the Pedal Steel Guitar in Texas, and met and befriended many celebrities there. Bill had many friends in the music business and traveled with the bands he played in, and was even in Paris, France!
Bill passed his passion of music on to his grandson, Jakob Stapleton, who plays guitar and sings in his pastime.
Bill met his current wife, Edie Fuller, and together they made a home in Cold Spring, TX, where he continued his passion for music and playing the Pedal Steel Guitar. Bill was known to “make that Pedal Steel Guitar cry!”
Bill had many jokes and loved telling them. He would get into character and change his voice. Bill was a story teller and especially loved talking about his childhood and the adventures he and his brother David, would have when they hung out together.
Bill’s family is proud of the legacy he has left. Bill had a gift and a talent for music and the Pedal Steel Guitar. He will never be forgotten!
Bill is survived by his wife, Edie (Fuller) Pan, brother David (Vickie) Pan, sister, Debra (Harry) Wetherald; daughters, Lesley (Keith) Stapleton, Stacey (JP) Brown, and grandson, Jakob Stapleton. Also, Edie’s family; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, step-children and step-grandchildren.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother Mark, and grandson, Jeremy.
May you fly high, and let that Pedal Steel Cry!!!!