William Arthur Ewert Jr.

William Arthur “Bill” Ewert, Jr., a native of South Texas who devoted virtually all of his life and career to the area, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at the age of 70, after a year long battle with cancer. Bill was born in Kingsville, Texas, on April 6, 1941, and graduated from H. M. King High School in 1959. He earned degrees from Texas A&I College, the American Institute of Foreign Trade and the University of Texas School of Law. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1969. Establishing himself in private practice in the area, Bill was appointed Kleberg County Attorney in 1979, a position he held for a decade. He spent the last fifteen years of his career as managing attorney of the Texas Attorney General’s child support unit based in Corpus Christi, Texas. His beloved Unit 304 often led the state in key areas of performance, securing crucial support funds for thousands of children in South Texas. Bill was honored on his birthday last year, April 6, 2011, when the day was designated ” Bill Ewert, Jr. Day” in Kingsville, Texas.

Bill contributed, without fanfare, in many areas of civic life, melding his sharp knowledge of policy and process with his unfailing concern for fellow citizens and the South Texas area. He led the effort to restore a deteriorating rural cemetery, for example, and he successfully opposed a uranium mining project that would have threatened the Baffin Bay environment. Bill took personal responsibility for individuals with no family members to manage their affairs and in every area of life he made a contribution with no interest in recognition for himself – he was, in the most literal sense, a public servant. Bill was equally committed to The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville, where he served as lay reader for nearly thirty years and participated in everything from the hand bell choir to the vestry.

Bill is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Cyndi Ewert; his brother, Hank Ewert; his sister-in-law, Claire McKay; and step-sons, Terry Walker and Matt Walker of Ft. Collins, Colorado; nieces, Suzanne King-Abootorabi and Leslie King; and nephew John King, all of Austin, Texas.

There will be a memorial service at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 206 N. 3nd Street, Kingsville, Texas 78363. Arrangements are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas 78363.