William H. Pittsford Jr.

William “Bill” H. Pittsford, Jr. went peacefully to Jesus, and returned to his Heavenly Father on June 9, 2011. William was born on March 12, 1921 in Austin, Texas. He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church. His holy baptism was celebrated at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, in Warda, Texas on April 17, 1921. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 14, 1935 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, in Austin, Texas. He attended St. Paul Lutheran School, University Jr. High, Austin High, and Durham Business College. During his lifetime, William was a member of two church congregations: St. Paul Lutheran in Austin from 1921 to 1954 and Redeemer Lutheran Church of Austin as a charter member in 1954 until the present. He was also a longtime member of Lutheran Laymen’s League. William married Lynette Pearl Hempel on October 23, 1948, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Copperas Cove, Texas. They were married for 62 years and raised three children. Our “Grandaddy” loved all of his family and was interested in all of their activities until his last day. He was preceded in death by parents Alma Michalk Pittsford and William Harrison Pittsford, brother Raymond Pittsford, and sister Frances Pittsford.

William is survived by wife Lynette Pearl Hempel Pittsford, son Glenn Pittsford and wife Wanda of College Station, daughter Alice Pittsford Childress and husband Gary of Victoria, and son Gordon Pittsford and wife Linda of Austin. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Amy Yorek and husband Clay of College Station, Kelli Miller and husband Todd of Georgetown, Kristen Hendrix and husband Carlton of San Antonio, Stephen Childress and wife Gina of Spring, Bethany Hanson and husband Joe of Austin, Natalie Pittsford of Carlsbad, California, and Halie Pittsford of Austin; and nine great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are sisters Ruby Hein of Olathe, Kansas and LaVerne Hein of Hermantown, Minnesota, sister-in-law Norine Pittsford of Elgin, and brother-in-law Melvin Hempel of Copperas Cove. William proudly and honorably served his country in the Army during WWII as part of the 88th Division Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, including service in Italy alongside his brother Raymond. Friends and family are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o’clock in the afternoon until six o’ clock in the evening on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home. A private internment for family only will take place prior to the memorial service. The memorial service will be officiated by Pastor Kevin Westergren at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1500 Anderson Lane in Austin at 1:30 pm on Monday, June 13, 2011. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church or the Lutheran Layman’s League. Tributes can be made at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com