William Leo Pelzel

Visitation is at Johnson’s Funeral Home Thursday, October 22, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Rosary will be said at 3:00 p.m. in Johnson’s Chapel. Bill donated his body to Texas Tech University Medical Center for research. Graveside service will be held at a later date.

He was preceded in death by his wife Doris (Gerngross) Pelzel; parents Fritz and Margaret (Witzsche) Pelzel; brothers Wilburn and his wife Ruby Dell Pelzel and Dennis Pelzel; infant daughter Teresa; infant grandchildren Rusty Tatsch, Jennifer Tatsch, and Christian Pelzel; and granddaughter Kylie Stewart.

He is survived by his children: David and wife Janice Pelzel of San Angelo, Ann and husband Damon Johnson of Snyder, Texas, and Marie and husband Lyn Stewart of Eager, Arizona; brothers: James and wife Marcela Pelzel of Rosebud, Texas, Calvin and wife Mary Ann Pelzel of Wall, Texas, and Fred and wife Nancy Pelzel of San Angelo; sister-in-law Carol of Pelzel of San Angelo, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Agnes and Pat St. Thomas of Rome, New York; grandchildren: Kathy and husband David Novian of Fredericksburg, Texas, Mikel and wife Sommer Pelzel of Miles, Texas, Daniel Pelzel of San Angelo, Jason and wife Megan Tatsch and Randy Tatsch, all of Christoval, Texas, Clayton Stewart and fiancée Eleise Crosby of Mesa, Arizona, and Clay Johnson of Snyder, Texas; great-grandchildren: Savannah Pelzel, Landon Pelzel, Rebakah Pelzel, Kase Pelzel, Jaylee Tatsch, Mike Pelzel, Dax Pelzel, and Jaymi Stewart. He is also survived by his special friend and high school sweetheart, Jerline Wieschuhn.

Bill was born the second of six sons in the farming community of Westphalia, Texas. He went to school in Olfen, Texas and retained those friends all his life. He could tell us where everybody lived, whose farms joined each other, where the best fishing spots were, and where the dove were flying. He retained a great love for nature and a respect for all living creatures. He told us his favorite place to go was the deer camp in Fr. McKavitt with his best friend Elmer Halfmann and his hunting buddies. Everything revolved around the deer camp and deer season, and off season was getting everything ready for deer season.

Bill joined the Navy and served his country proudly in the South Pacific theater. He liked to tell us his Navy stories and that his greatest adventure was World War II.

He married Doris Gerngross in Olfen, Texas August 20, 1946 at St. Boniface Catholic Church. They farmed for a while and moved to San Angelo where Bill became a carpenter. He worked on numerous buildings and construction sites in and around San Angelo. In 1954, he took his young family to Cocoa Beach, Florida and built houses for the new NASA space complex. He retired as the business agent for the Carpenters Local Union 411 in San Angelo. He loved tinkering in his shop and making bird houses and wooden spoons for all of us. He taught his son-in-law Lyn and his grandsons how to use carpentry tools and how to make useful things from scraps of wood. He loved to teach them magic tricks and show them how the old toys were made.

Bill told us his greatest achievement was his children. Seeing them be successful in life made him proud. He told us what he missed most was a good cup of coffee and a piece of Doris’ home made pie. He missed going to Mass at Sacred Heart where he was a member since 1949. He missed driving his race car, and hugging his grand and great-grandchildren. We will miss his humor, his telephone calls, his stories, his cards and notes, and his smile.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Harvey for his compassionate care, the nurses at Shannon 4 South, the nurses at Hospice of San Angelo, the staff at Royal Estates, and the staff at Regency House for their care in the difficult last days Bill shared with us.

In lieu of flowers, Bill asked that a donation be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral’s Sack Lunch Ministry, 20 E. Beauregard or Hospice of San Angelo, 36 E. Twohig, Ste. 1100.

Our proud sailor gave us his last salute and received his orders to travel home. We wish you calm seas, a gentle breeze, and clear skies. Sail on William. Sail on.