William Riley Pampe, 94, of Austin, Texas left this world peacefully on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 to be with his Heavenly Father. He was born on December 5, 1923 to Carl Ernest Pampe and Zella Marie Carrico Pampe on a farm near Parkersburg, Illinois.
He attended the University of Illinois from where he was called to active duty with the U.S. Army 75th Infantry Division. William fought in the rather famous “Battle of the Bulge” in December of 1944 in Belgium.
After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1948 with a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Geology, he briefly worked for Pure Oil Company and then went on to obtain his PhD from the University of Nebraska.
William taught Geology at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas for 23 years. He retired in 1990 and moved to Austin.
He enjoyed playing golf, crossword puzzles, square dancing, and numerous Church activities. He had a real passion for fly fishing for trout in Colorado with his family.
William is preceded in death by his parents; son, Allen Pampe; brother, Carl Frederick Pampe and wife, Mary Lou; and sister, Mary Catherine Cope. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 69 years, Jewell Pampe; son, Eugene Pampe; grandchildren, Paige, Derek, Reid, and Eric; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives; and a host of friends.
William will always be in our heart and forever on our mind.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Oak Hill United Methodist Church, 7815 Hwy. 290 West with Rev. Jim Roberts officiating. Interment will follow at 3:30 P.M., Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like contributions to be made in William's memory to Oak Hill United Methodist Church or to a favorite charity of choice.
