William "Bill" George Freitag

William George (Bill) Freitag, 96, of Georgetown, Texas passed away on June 15, 2024. Bill was born on January 6,1928 in St. Louis, Missouri to William Henry Freitag and Blanche Cecelia (nee Berger) Freitag. Bill served in the U.S. Navy from January 1946 to November 1947. After an honorable discharge, he attended St. Louis University where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Geophysical Engineering. Bill joined Shell Oil Company in 1952 as a Geophysicist and spent his career in the Exploration Department, retiring in 1989.

While attending St. Louis University, Bill met the love of his life Margaret Louise Nowotny, and they were married on June 2, 1953. Bill and Margaret lived in many different cities and states during his career with Shell. Bill retired from Shell in 1989. He was active in his faith at the Cenacle Retreat House, St. John Vianney Catholic Church and enjoyed playing golf and flying small airplanes in the Houston area.

Bill and Margaret were blessed with six wonderful daughters, Mary Freitag Hagney, Anne Freitag Bates, Cathy Freitag Erck, Helen Freitag Cunningham, Jean Freitag Bondy and Sara Freitag.

Bill was a man of deep faith and an active member of the Catholic Church wherever he lived. He taught his daughters the values of faith, family and friends. He was a 3rd and 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Bill’s wife, Margaret, passed away on March 16, 1992. Shortly after, Bill met his second love Patricia Marie (nee Armond) Reso and they were married on July 9, 1994. He joyfully gained three wonderful stepdaughters and one stepson. Family reunions were big and fabulous, and he loved every moment spent with the combined families.

Bill had a lifelong passion for those in need. While living in California, Bill and Pat supported the mission of The Galilee Center, that feeds migrant workers. Pat passed away on August 19, 2011. Bill moved to Georgetown shortly thereafter where he became an active member at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church in Andice. Bill worked faithfully at the Caring Place food pantry as well as Santa Rosa de Lima Church food pantry. He enjoyed his time in Sun City with friends in wine clubs, bowling and loved a good round of golf.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Margaret Nowotny Freitag, his second wife, Pat Armond Reso Freitag, his son, John Joseph Freitag, Nephew Joseph Nowotny, Brother-in-law John Nowotny, Stepson Chris Reso, Step Son-in-Law Peter Starkey, Son-in-Law John Paul (Bucky) Bates Jr. and Stepdaughter Robyn Reso.

Bill is survived by his children Mary and Tom Hagney of Georgetown, Texas, Anne Bates of Midland, Texas, Cathy and Steve Erck of Glen Rose, Texas, Helen and David Cunningham of Mico, Texas, Jean and Brian Bondy of Granbury, Texas, Sara Freitag and Sylvia Trambaugh of Newport, Kentucky, Stepdaughter Cyd Reso of Ashville, North Carolina, and Stepdaughter Renee Reso of Upper Montclair, New Jersey. Bill had seven beautiful grandchildren – Jay Bates and his wife Tanji, Patrick Cunningham, Austin Erck and his wife Jade, Ryan Erck and his wife Kasey, Lauren Bondy Becker and her husband Andrew, Erin Bondy and her husband Alex Henry, Caitlin Erck, Katherine Starkey and Patrick Starkey. Bill was also blessed with five great grandchildren – Kyrian Bates, Aubrey Erck, Margo Bates, Liam Erck, Emery Becker, Sloane Bates, and Parks Becker. He is also survived by sister-in-law Nancy Nowotny and nephews Matt Nowotny and David Nowotny and their families; as well as his cousin Tom Berger of St. Louis Missouri.

Bill will be greatly missed by those he met. His legacy will live on through his daily examples of faith and humility. Bill walked the walk every day. Whether you called him Bill, Dad, Pops, Papaw, PopPop, Papa, Popop, or Grandpa Peacock, you knew he was your biggest cheerleader and he always had your back.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of these organizations where Bill devoted his time and talents:

The Caring Place - caringplacetx.org

The Galilee Center -galileecenter.org

Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church Food Pantry - srdl-cc.org/donate

A memorial mass for Bill will be held Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church, 6571 FM970, Florence, TX 76527, with a luncheon to follow in the Parish Hall.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16