William Charles English

William Charles English, of Kingsville and Corpus Christi, Texas passed away Saturday, July 16, 2011. Born on February 9, 1925, in Illinois, he was the middle child of Forest F. English and Margaret Langen English. He grew up in Refugio, Texas. He graduated from Refugio High School in 1942 and attended Texas A&M University in College Station where he was in the marching band, from 1942-1943. He finished his college degree in Kingsville at Texas A&I University in 1949. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 - 1946.

He met and married his wife, Myra Lucille Waddell (“T”) in 1948 and celebrated their 63 years in May. They remained in Kingsville for the next 58 years, before moving to Trinity Towers in Corpus Christi. They raised their two children in Kingsville, Kathryn English-Rhodes and Forest William English.

While living in Kingsville he started his career as an Accountant, Business Office - Texas A&I University from 1942-52. He was the assistant auditor of the university from 1952-55. In 1955 he became the Tax Assessor Collector for the Kingsville ISD, until 1957. From 1957-62 he was the manager of the Kingsville Savings and Loan. In 1962 he went back to the Texas A&I University where he stayed until his retirement in 1985. While at the university he held the positions of Business Manager from 1962-65, Comptroller from 1965-68, Vice-President of Fiscal Affairs from 1968-72, Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs from 1972-76, Director of Administration and Financial Planning for the University System from 1976-85, when he retired.

His professional memberships included National Association of College and University Business Officers, Southern Association of College and University Business Officers, Texas Association of State Senior College and University Business Officers and Texas Association of College Teachers.

He was very involved in many civic and community activities. Member of the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce and former member of the Board of Directors, and served as Treasurer for two years, Chairman of the Board of the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce in 1978, President of the Kiwanis Club of Kingsville, President of the United Fund - Kleberg County, Grand Knight of Council #3389 of Knights of Columbus, President of Kingsville Council of Navy League, President of Kingsville Little League Baseball, Scout Master of Troop 147 from 1951-54, Chairman of the Board of B.C. and Addie Brookshire Foundation, member of St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church, member of Elk’s Lodge #1926, President of the Texas Association of State Senior College and University Business Officers - 1971, member Executive Committee 1968-77, member of Formula Advisory Committee of the Coordinating Board - 1975-77, received from the Kingsville-Kleberg County Chamber of Commerce the award for outstanding service to the community in 1958, member of the Board of Directors of Kleberg Bank from 1978-97 and member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

He is survived by his loving wife, Myra “T”; daughter, Kathryn Rhodes of Corpus Christi; son, Forest William English (Tricia) of Eagle Lake, Texas; and four grandchildren, Alexander William Rhodes, Raquel Rhodes, Will English and Garett Haggendorf (Rachel, Brooks).

Visitation will take place after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011 followed by a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at the Turcotte-Piper Mortuary Chapel, Kingsville. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church, 1120 South Eighth Street, Kingsville, with Fr. James Stembler as celebrant.

Burial will follow in Kingsville at Chamberlain Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Veterans of Kleberg County Military Funeral Detail.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in his name to St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church or Vista Care Hospice, 4320 SPID, Suite B, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411.

Honorary pallbearers will be S.F. “Snake” Wallace, H.T. “Hop” Nolan, Tommy Sanford, John Womack, Nolie Harrel, Dr. Ben Martin, Clyde Allen, James Patten, Maynard Kreidler and Kenneth Harlan.

Active pallbearers will be John Waddell, Dick Waddell, Davis Waddell, Gary Waddell, Jim Waddell, Alan Herzik, Ronald Herzik and Tom Brookshire.

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas.