C. W. "Billy" Settles

C. W. “Billy” Settles, 68, of Victoria passed away Thursday, October 2, 2014. He was born February 14, 1946, in Waco to the late Theodore Homer and Ella Merle Morgan Settles. He was a self employed Civil Engineer and a member of First United Methodist Church.

Billy is survived by his wife, Jo Anne Hudson Settles of Victoria; his daughter, Peggy Settles Edge and husband, Bruce of Cedar Park; sons, Phillip Ray Settles and wife, Berenice of Fargo, North Dakota, and Preston Charles Settles and wife, Sarah of Victoria; sister, Merle Jean Hughes and husband, Avery of Streetman; sister-in-Law, Jane Settles of California; sister-in-law, Carol Hudson of Lakeway; grandchildren, Dillon Edge, Jacob Edge, Charlie Settles and Spencer Settles, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Morgan Settles.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at First United Methodist Church.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at First United Methodist Church.

Donations may be made to The Rotary Foundation, www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/rotary-foundation.

Honorary pallbearers are members of his Sunday School class, the New Horizons class, and the Northside Rotary club members.

Billy grew up in Brownsville, Texas where he played football for the Brownsville High School Golden Eagles, graduating in 1964. He also played some football for Texas A&M University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1968. His love of A&M never faded as he traveled back to Kyle Field for home games for over 40 years. He married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Jo Anne, on August 24, 1968. As they raised their family in Brownsville and Victoria, he and Jo Anne were active in their children’s sports activities, through booster clubs, coaching and refereeing; in their scout troops; in their academic endeavors; and served as youth sponsors at churches in both cities.

He valued integrity, honesty and excellence in his work life and in his community service. He was a member and officer of the Brownsville Downtown Lions Club and the Victoria Northside Rotary Club. In both, he worked diligently on their various projects to serve those who are hungry, infirm, impoverished, and have limited access to water, sanitation and education. He and his wife traveled many places in the world to implement projects for these needs, including to Amedebad, India to administer Polio drops to approximately 1500 children in one day.

Billy served Rotary International as the Northside Rotary club President in 1995, as the District Governor for South Texas in 2000, and chair of many district and Zone committees and training seminars. As one of only 70 worldwide, he received the highest accolade of RI, the Service Above Self Award recognizing his volunteer efforts around the world. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and Benefactor and Bequest Society to The Rotary Foundation.

As an active member of the business community of Victoria, he chaired or participated in many committees, including the City-County Health Board and, for 19 years on the Building and Standards Commission. He served as the consulting engineer for the Port of Victoria - Victoria County Navigation District from 1982 to his retirement in December 2013.

Above all, he loved his family and friends and community service and will be missed by everyone.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.