Richard Sauer, 78, of Houston, Texas, died on January 13, 2025, surrounded by loving family. He was born in Houston, Texas, in 1946 to Raymond and Ruth Sauer. Richard had an early love for sports; he made the varsity baseball team for Waltrip High School. He enjoyed time at the family business of E.L. Sauer and & Sons, and the simplicity of working on the farm in Cat Springs, TX. After graduating Waltrip High School in 1965, Richard worked part-time at North Side Bank of Houston, while taking night classes at the University of Houston. Richard joined the Army in 1968 to serve his country in the Vietnam War. After completing his military service in 1974, Richard returned to banking and ultimately became a Vice President of Operations at Southeast Commerce Bank, where he met his future wife, Velma Sauer. After a few years, Richard made another change and pursued a career within consumer retail at the Billiard Factory. In 1985 Richard took an entrepreneurial leap, moved his young family, and established the San Antonio branch of The Billiard Factory’s growing network. In driving the business plan of The Billiard Factory forward, his immediate family became part of the community in San Antonio; and the Billiard Factory, or the “Store” as it was known, become much more than a simple retail business. While the Store he created consumed much of his time, the business not only provided for his family, but created an environment that fostered a tight group of friends (employees) who did not shy away from a hard day’s work, become a school to those willing to learn a new trade, and offered others a chance to start over. While the Store created its fair share of headaches, it also taught life lessons to so many who gave their time, energy, and desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
After retiring in 2011, Richard and Velma moved to Cypress, TX to be closer to family and friends. For those who spent time with Richard, they knew how deeply he cared for his entire extended family and friends, the Astros, and the Spurs. He held the highest respect for those who kept their word, and he valued loyalty and true friendship.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Raymond Sauer, and his granddaughter, Ella Diane Gehring. He is survived by his loving wife, Velma Villarreal Sauer, his daughter René Michelle Sauer Gehring and son-in-law Robert Gehring, his son Ryan Louis Sauer and daughter-in-law Kristen Sauer, and five beautiful grand-daughters – Eva, Edith, Vivian, Juliet, and Margot.
Family and friends are welcome to join us in celebrating Richard’s life on January 17 at Waltrip Funeral Directors at 1415 Campbell Rd, Houston, TX 77055. Visitation will be from 1-2pm, a memorial service will start at 2pm, followed by the burial at St. Peter United at 9022 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055.
Donations in memory of Richard can be made at:
* https://www.rescue22foundation.org/, an organization committed to addressing the mental and physical health of our nation’s veterans with service-connected disabilities.
* https://onrealm.org/StPeterUnited/-/form/give/SPUgive , the historical St. Peter cemetery (select Cemetery from the dropdown menu)
*https://www.nationalcmv.org/get-involved/donate, The National CMV Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to saving lives affected by the virus that took his granddaughter, Ella
