William “Bill” Albert Pyle

William “Bill” Albert Pyle passed away January 1, 2019 at St. Mark’s Medical Center. He was born on October 25, 1940 to Ola Vivian May Pyle and William Alexander Pyle in Wharton, Texas. Grandson of the late Albert J. and Mildred May. Married to Donna Marie Oberle on November 27, 1982, they raised their blended family of four in La Grange. From humble beginnings in Wharton, Texas, growing up on a ranch to becoming an Eagle Scout, to Texas A & M University and the United States Air Force. He was proud of his service and accomplishments. He was active in the community being part of various organizations such as the Boys Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout, as Scout Master, Explorer Advisor and Committee Chairman for Troop 204 in La Grange. Active in the First United Methodist Church—La Grange, Fayette County A & M Club -serving as president for 13 years, Texas State Ducks Unlimited as a District Chairman for many years, a Ducks Unlimited Life Sponsor, Ducks Unlimited Mexico Life Sponsor and member of the Ducks Unlimited Feather Society. He was also a Colorado County Ducks Unlimited Member, Fayette County Ducks Unlimited Member, a La Grange Coastal Conservation Association Member, 12th Man Foundation, Texas A & M University Former Students Association, Life member of VFW Post #5254, Life member of the American Legion, Life member of the Air Force Association and Retired Enlisted Association, a retired member of the Austin Football Officials Association, past member of the La Grange Evening Lions and Flatonia Lions Club. Bill’s passion was Texas A & M University. As a member of the Class of 1962 and was often teased that he “Bled Maroon” for all Aggie sports but especially football and baseball since he played baseball until an injury ended his career. To the frustration of his family and friends, he could talk for hours about some sport. Donna would tease him that he should have been a coach as much as he loved sports. As an only child he received all the attention and through his adult life loved being the center of attention. He loved watching his grandchildren play sports especially after he retired from Balcones Minerals Corporation in Flatonia, where he served as Plant Manager for 20 years, retiring in 2012. Bill coached Little League Baseball and Football while serving in the United States Air Force, as well as junior high baseball and Football in Alabama. He was very proud of the kids he coached. His daughter Wendi could often be seen as the little cheerleader on the sidelines. He was a football referee in Alabama, Florida and Texas for 25 years before retiring from refereeing in 1985. He also umpired little league baseball. Bill spent 25 years in the Air Force retiring from 12th Air Force Logistics at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas. He was stationed at Selma, Alabama, Fort Walton Beach Florida, Iceland, with a short tour to Italy. He was spent two tours in Thailand along the Vietnam border during the Vietnam Conflict. Aircraft including bomber planes were launched in the fight against North Vietnam. He spent many hours and days in Vietnam recovering damaged aircraft and sending them back to the bases in Thailand. Bill received the following honors while serving in the United States Air Force: Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, AF Longevity Service A award ribbon with Five Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Presidential Unit Citation, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and Seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters. Bill loved saltwater fishing with his wife and family always heading to Port O’Connor every weekend for years when not at a football game. He instilled the love of fishing to his grandsons, especially Kaleb. Bill believed in conservation of our natural resources, being a major donor to Ducks Unlimited and a member of Coastal Conservation Association. Bill is survived by his wife of 36 years Donna Marie (Oberle) Pyle. His children James Albert Pyle and wife Carla Sanders- Pyle, Winifred Allison Pyle, William Riley Pyle and finance Rebecca Hunt Pyle and Seth Robert Pyle and wife Marsha Manly Pyle. Grandchildren: Justin Pyle, Reese Pyle, Jacob Simons, Nicolas England, Kaleb Pyle, Logan Land Pyle, Raygen Pyle and Lyndsey Pyle. Step Grandchildren Jarett Burrell, Courtney Burrell and Katie Denton. He was preceded in death by his parents Ola Vivian May Pyle and William Alexander Pyle and his best friend Mike Sharp, Sr. In lieu of regular remembrances memorials made be made Hospice Brazos Valley, First United Methodist Church, St. Mark’s Medical Center Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Texas A&M University 12th Man Foundation or American Cancer Society. A Memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in La Grange Jan. 5 at 3pm with private burial at the La Grange City Cemetery.