William George (“Bill”) Barkemeyer, age 77, of Temple, Texas passed away on Tuesday June 16, 2020. William was born July 21, 1942 in Coleman , Texas. Funeral services for William will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 11:00 AM at St. Luke's Catholic Church, Temple, Texas with a rosary at 10:30Am. Burial will be at 1:30 PM at St. Mary's Cemetery, Westphalia, Texas. He grew up in Temple, Texas where he attended public schools and received his GED. He then enrolled in Durham’s Business College and upon completion worked for Western Auto until his retirement. Bill was an industrious and hard- working fellow who at an early age sought ways to earn his own extra money. He was especially proud of the fact that he bought and paid for his first car - a 1953 Chevy. He was a snappy dresser and imitated the casual look of Elvis or Ricky Nelson. He married the love of his life, Janice Marie Frei on 9/18/1971 and after almost 50 years of marriage still often referred to her as his bride. They have one son, Kevin Joseph who lives in Temple. The family worshipped together at St. Luke’s Catholic Church.
Bill was fiercely devoted to his family recording almost every trivial and major accomplishment of his immediate and extended family members. Next to his family he had three loves in his life; the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Longhorns and the fighting Temple Wildcats. He and his son Kevin enjoyed any sporting event and managed to become walking encyclopedias of any and all sports related trivia and history. He loved music and he loved to dance. In his teenage years and early adulthood the legends of rock ‘n roll were his favorites, After marriage he and Janice could be found on any given weekend dancing to the music of a good polka band or country swing band in the surrounding dancehalls in Temple. His parents Herman William Barkemeyer and Lillian Emma Reddehase Barkemeyer have preceded him in death. We will miss you Bill – your crooked smile, dry sense of humor and easy conversation., I am Jeanette Fuller, his sister and he leaves his memory with me, his sister Linda Tingwald and his younger brother Hubert and our families. He is survived by his wife Janice, son Kevin and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He loved us all. Bill fell asleep in the arms of his Savior on June 16, 2020. Rest in peace brother Bill. The family would especially like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Scott & White Hospital for their care and attendance to Bill. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerstemple.com for the Barkemeyer family.
