William “Bill” Ross Brinkoeter

William “Bill” Ross Brinkoeter, 77, of Houston and Brenham, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 at M.D. Anderson hospital, after a short battle with cancer. Bill was the youngest child born to Aston John Brinkoeter and Belma Talley Brinkoeter on June 2, 1936. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Petroleum Engineering and Geology. While at Texas A&M, Bill was head of “B” Corps of Engineers. He received numerous awards from the University, including one of its highest honors, a Gold Medal citation from The Society of American Military Engineers from Washington DC, having been named as “The Outstanding 1958 Junior Engineering Student” of the Engineer  Reserve Officers Training Unit. Upon graduation, Bill faithfully served his country in the United States Army Corps of Engineers, where he obtained the rank of First Lieutenant under General Walker, as the general’s aide. In addition, he  served as a member of The Presidential Honor Guard during John F. Kennedy’s administration. After serving his country, Bill started his career as a Geologist and Petroleum Engineer, working for Tenneco Oil Company in Lafayette, La. until 1964. From 1964 to 1966, Bill worked for Oasis Oil Company in Libya as a Petroleum Engineer. In 1966, Bill joined Keplinger & Associates at the time of the formation of the Houston office. There he was named Secretary- Treasurer in 1967, Executive Vice President in 1970 and was appointed Vice President in 1969. In 1972, Bill met his second wife, Leslie, and in 1976, Bill and Leslie married and spent 37 wonderful years together, having two lovely

daughters, Nicole and Allyson. In 1976, he was appointed Executive Vice President of Valley Gas Transmission, a small

interstate transmission company with lines in Texas and South Louisiana. In 1978, Bill left Keplinger & Associates and

then joined Blocker Energy Corporation, as Vice President of exploration and production.  In 1981, Bill decided to become an Independent Geologist & Petroleum Engineer. He had been a consultant and joint venture partner with several oil companies since that time and was extremely well respected within the industry by all who came in contact with him. Bill was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers, and Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He was also a devout contributor over the years to his beloved Aggie network, 12th Man Foundation. Bill’s family, his farm in Brenham and his love for Aggie football were of the utmost importance in his life. He never missed a game, whether at Kyle

field with his friends, on TV or  on his old radio at the farm. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Leslie S. Brinkoeter; two

daughters, whom he was extremely proud of and loved dearly, Nicole B. Allison of Houston and Allyson B. Davis and  husband Marc of La Grange; precious grand-children, Michael Allison and Megan Davis; stepgrandsons, Shawn Davis and Steven Davis; nieces, Catherine Pannell, of Corpus Christi and Christina Brinkoeter, of Houston; brother-in-law, Kemp S. Dargan of Columbus; as well as numerous aunts and cousins. Bill was preceded in death by parents, his first wife, Ellen, his mother-in-law Margaret “Peggy” Dargan, his father-inlaw, Ray Southworth and his brother, John A.  Brinkoeter, Jr. A memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, located at 717 Sage Road in Houston. The Rev. Mary Wilson and the Rev. R-J Heijman officiated. Immediately following, all were invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall. Prior to the service, the family gathered for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in

Mr. Brinkoeter’s name may be directed to Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive,  College Station, Texas 77840, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and/or St. Judes Children Research Hospital, or the charity of one’s choice. Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston was in charge of arrangements.