William "Bill" Hartzog

William “Bill” Hartzog, age 80, resident of Magnolia, Texas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away on Friday, December 16, 2011. He was born on December 2, 1931 in Louisiana to George and Agnes Martin Hartzog.

For more than 31 years, Bill was an iron and steel worker for the Local 84 union. He loved to weld and was passionate about using his welding skills to build things. Bill had numerous hobbies, some of which included fishing and hunting, his welding, and to barbeque. After retirement, Bill began working for Tractor Supply, where he worked and loved to work for 11 years.

Anyone that knew Bill knew that he never left home without donning his best western attire, always in cowboy boots and a hat.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sons Dewayne and Ronald Hartzog; his grandsons Sheldon and Brandon Hartzog; his granddaughter Sarah Hartzog and his granddaughter Zerona Hartzog. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Frances Hartzog of Magnolia, TX; his daughter Sherry Minks of Poplar Bluff, MO; his sons Darryl and Chad Hartzog, both of Houston, TX; his brothers Robert and James Hartzog; his sisters Beatrice Langston, Lavon Matthews, Bobby Sue Faggerd and Patsy Cantu; his 14 grandchildren; his 11 great-grandchildren; and a great great-grandchild.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6 until 8 PM on Monday, December 19, 2011 at Brookside Funeral Home Champions, 3410 FM 1960 West, Houston, TX 77068. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 in the chapel of Brookside Funeral Home Champions with Rev. Harold Morton and Rev. Gene Doyle officiating. A graveside service and committal will immediately follow in Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

Honoring the family and serving as Pallbearers are Alex Manis, James “Tootie” McRay, Edgar "Cotton" Stokes, Billy Wright, Hank Weirich and Richard Wilkes.

MY SPECIAL FATHER

All through life I have traveled

Many winding roads,

Sometimes they lead me on paths

Of heave burdened loads.

When I recall even in my childhood days,

I will always remember you were there

To give me high praise.

Now that we are so many miles apart,

Your loving smile and laughter

Still warms my heart.

Your gentle hug and then you say,

“Have I told you something today?”

Without a doubt I know in my heart,

The next words you speak will be,

“I Love You Sweetheart”

So on this day my sweet, precious Dad,

I want you to know you are

The best Dad I could have had.

Please never forget how much

You are loved and respected,

And with your precious love,

I will always feel protected.

There were times my decisions

Were not always smart

But I always loved you with all my heart.

Love,

Sherry, Darryl and Chad