William Joseph Bochat

He was born in Port Lavaca Texas to Herman and Agnes Mary (Sion) Bochat on April 12, 1931.

Bill was the middle child of their eleven children- Howard, Margaret, James, Charles, Joanna, William (Bill), Agnes, Robert (Bob), Justin, Sidney, Thomas (Butch).

After attending primary school in Refugio,TX and St. Anthonys Seminary in San Antonio, Bill graduated St. Josephs High School in Victoria, TX. He attended St. Marys University in San Antonio on the G.I. Bill and received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Having tried sports at the age of 10, after only two football games he decided that sports were not for him and that he preferred fixing engines and motorcycles. Thus began a lifelong passion for motorcycles which led he and his brother Charles to become the owners of Victoria Harley Davidson in July of 1950. Bill went on to win many trophies on the flat track racing circuit and was Safety Officer for the Victoria Roadrunners Motorcycle Club.

The Korean War intruded into Bills plans, and he was drafted. After basic training at Fort Sam Houston he was on a troop ship to Tokyo by August 1952, and in country by Christmas. He was thrown into the air when a mortar shell landed behind him and severely injured at Kumwah on March 24, 1953. He was flown by helicopter to the closest MASH unit and from there was brought home on a hospital ship. During the next two years he would undergo multiple surgeries at Brooke Army Medical Center and while recuperating between surgeries his motorcycle buddies would take him for rides in the Texas Hill Country. The nurses many times told him "you boys be careful on those motorcycles."

On December 21, 1957 Bill was married to Frances Marlene Grover. They were soon blessed with three children. William J. Bochat Jr, Catherine, and Charles. Bill loved his children and they loved him. He was very involved with raising them. Teaching them everything from gymnastics to astronomy to chemistry to mechanics to gardening and how to be good Catholics and good citizens. He was their Boy Scout Troop leader, and always there whenever he was needed. As his children became teens and young adults he always welcomed their friends, and had no problem listening to them also and providing sound advice. The kitchen table always had room for one or two more.

Once his children flew the nest Bill became a cross country motorcycle rider. Every September he and Margaret Young (his companion of 40+ years) would set out across the USA and see the sights and visit family and friends from Texas to California, Oregon, Wisconsin, New York, Louisiana and all the places in between.

His children married and soon provided him with seven grandchildren whom he adored.

Cherie, Charles Jr., Danielle, Michelle, Clint, Neil, and Trey (William J. Bochat III) loved spending time with GranDpa and Margaret. The biggest smile was what he wore every time he would play with his grandchildren. They shared a very special and deep bond.

Bill was blessed to be a great grandfather to Neil II, Irene, Marchesi, and Bradley.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Bills funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 10:00 A.M. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1602 Thousand Oaks Dr.

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Please click here to view William's service