OBITUARY

Billy Joe "Bill" Corbell

October 25, 1925 – February 16, 2013

Port Lavaca – Billy Joe “Bill” Corbell (or PaPa, as he is lovingly known to his grandchildren), 87, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2013. He was born on October 25, 1925 in Caddo, Texas to the late Ivan Calvin Corbell and Ruby Lee Corbell. Bill grew up in Tomball, Texas and graduated from Tomball High School. After graduation, Bill entered the V12 Naval Officer training at Tulane University. While at Tulane, Bill ran track and field for the University’s track team and held the record for the Southeast Conference one-mile run. In 1943, Bill entered the U.S. Navy as an Ensign. During his service in the Navy he served aboard several ships, including the USS Ozark LSV2 in World War II and the LST 902 in the Korean War. In his later years, Bill enjoyed reunions with his shipmates from both ships. After honorable discharge as a Lieutenant from the Navy, Bill returned to the University of Texas in Austin and graduated from UT in 1954 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Bill worked his entire forty year career as a mechanical engineer for Humble Oil/Exxon and continued doing consulting work for several more years after retirement. During his career, Bill, and his wife, Tommie lived in many different locations, including Katy, and West Columbia, Tx., Venezuela, Pensacola, Fl., Green River, Wy. and Santa Barbara, Ca. They made many friends throughout those years that remain friends today. Bill and Tommie moved to Port Lavaca, Tx. to retire and pursue his passion of fishing in Port O’Connor. Bill was an avid fisherman and fished in Port O’Connor well into his eighties; taking, teaching, and sharing his passion and love of fishing with his children, grandchildren and friends. He was a member of the American Legion Post 167, local Republican Party, Conservative Club and TexasExes. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Tommie Jean Pinkston Corbell; two sons, Jon Corbell and wife Rayelene of Brazos Country, Tx. and Mike Corbell and wife Irma of Seabrook, Tx and one daughter, Kathy Henkes and husband Chuck of Oklahoma City, Ok.; grandchildren, Kris and husband Steve Bellard, Ryan Corbell and wife Rachel, Casey, Eric and Matthew Corbell, Hailey and husband Danny Points, Jake Henkes and wife Andria, and Alyssa Henkes; and one great grandson, Brock Bellard; one brother, Jack Corbell and wife Nancy; one aunt, Juanita Chaney of Austin; and numerous nieces, nephews and several cousins.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 18th , 2013 at Richardson Colonial Funeral Home. A celebration of his life and legacy will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19th , 2013 at Richardson Colonial Funeral Home with Dr. Stephen Brazzel of Spring Creek Baptist Church of Spring, Tx. officiating, assisted by Danny Points of Austin, Tx. Military graveside service will follow at Green Lawn Gardens Cemetery in Port Lavaca. Pallbearers will be the grandsons and grandsons-in-law. Richardson Colonial Funeral Home of Port Lavaca is in charge of the arrangements. Words of comfort may be shared at www.richardsoncolonial.com.

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Services

  • Visitation Monday, February 18, 2013
  • Funeral Service Tuesday, February 19, 2013
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REMEMBERING

Billy Joe "Bill" Corbell

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Bob Poncik

March 16, 2013

Bob Poncik

March 16, 2013

BOB PONCIK

March 16, 2013

March 15, 2013

Tommie you and Bill were really good to Bobbie & me back in La Barge. Can't write enough good about him but just say he was a great example for us. He will live on in our oil field stories.

Barry Warren (Paris, TX)

Obie Nevels

February 22, 2013

Very sorry to hear of Bill's passing, he will always be part of the "Corbell and Ketchum" team to me. He was the one who hired me back in 1974 in Jay, Florida. As a boss he was for sure a working mans friend.

BOB PONCIK

February 21, 2013

Wanted to thank your FAMILY FOR SHARING THE PICTURES OF YOUR LIFE JOURNEY FROM THE START TO THE CHECK OUT LINE, VERY NICE OF THEM TO SHARE THIS WITH US AND NOW i KNOW WHAT i ALSO NEED TO PUT ON MY BUCKET LIST, FROM THE START TO THE END, VERY GOOD PICTURE OF YOU WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
PS, still remember when Pat & I with the kids came down to Port Lavaca from louise,Texas for a visit with you and Tommie, Pat still remember getting bit by yellow jackets and slipping down the bank into the water and had a hell of a time getting back up and the kids had a great time in your pool

MUDMAN PONCIK

February 21, 2013

Hey BILL, just in case they haven't shut this down yet, "RIP" from the "MUDMAN", still remember working with you at the JAY'S GAS PLANT START UP on the night shift when we where cleaning valves on the compressors and Ted P was on the BIG HAMMER when the HAMMER WRENCH got knocked off the head bolts and HIT YOU IN THE HEAD & BUSTED your glasses and knocked you out for a few seconds and we all thought we might of had killed you back then, but you came around and asked us why we where standing around you and was wondering how we where going to explain this, don't thing we ever saw a accident report wrote up on this,
BET THIS WAS JUST ONE OF MANY GOOD STORIES WE SHARED WITH YOU.
LIKE I SAID RIP and it was a PLEASUE KNOWNING AND WORKING WITH YOU
BOB "MUDMAN" PONCIK

U. H. (Paul) Jones

February 19, 2013

Dear Tommie, We're very sorry to learn of your loss. Please accept from Carmen and myself our deepest condolences . Bill was a very special person, and I feel privleged to have gotten to know him and work with him, both in Pensacola and later at KRGP. I have many great memories of Bill that I will never forget, whether it was a going-away party at the mud-hole, or his great contributions in absorbing the gas plants from the CC District into the KRGP, or the way he inspired respect, loyalty, and trust from all he met. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Buch Buchanan

February 19, 2013

Tommie I really enjoyed working with Bill He was a pleasure to be around.I know you will really miss him. My prayers are with you and your family.
Buck Buchanan

February 19, 2013

Khaki and family, We Oklahoma friends are sending all our love and warm hugs for you. I know your Daddy was the best and he is having the time of his life fishing in Heaven! I will say my prayers for your comfort and peace during the service. Much Love, The Frankenfield's

IN THE CARE OF

Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home
Port Lavaca, TX
361-552-9766