Billy Koerth

Billy Dean Lyndon Koerth, 81, of Burton passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 24th.

Billy Dean was born January 5, 1939, in Burton to Edward and Bertha Muehlbrad Koerth. He was baptized March 12, 1939 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Greenvine and later confirmed on May 24, 1954 at the same church. He graduated from Burton High School in 1957 and spent a brief time working in Houston before returning to Burton to continue the family dairy farm business with his father.

He was a lifelong member of the church in Greenvine, serving on the Church Council. He was Superintendent of the Washington County Fair Dairy Committee and member of the Dairy Day Committee. He could always be found at the fair supporting his kids, grandchildren, and friends. As a director of COBA Select Sires, he was able to tour many dairies in Ohio and New Mexico, learning new methods and meeting other fellow dairymen.

Some of his most memorable achievements was earning back to back Grand Champion Steer titles at the Washington County Fair in 1952 and 1953, being a member of the first football team at Burton High School, receiving a scholarship to play basketball at Wharton County Junior College, and playing slow pitch for Jake’s, Budlight, and Church League. Many nights were spent at Bob Schroeder field playing men’s slow pitch after a long day of milking on the farm.

Billy Dean partnered with his father operating the family dairy business in 1959. In 1962, he took over the dairy farm and continued to run the business known as Bill-Ko Holstein farm together with his family for 37 years. He not only took pride in continuing the family business, but he truly enjoyed the friends he made and the experiences he gained through it all. After his battle with serious health conditions he sold the dairy farm and began working for Blinn College in 2001 until his retirement in January of 2017. An avid card game player, his favorite past times throughout his life were playing Pitch and Skat along with dominoes.

Billy Dean was a devoted family man, his children and grandchildren meant the world to him. He was never the most affectionate until meeting Theresa, his companion for the last 19 years. His heart grew even fonder once his son Danny’s twin boys arrived. You could find him at almost every sporting event, fair, or show his children and grandchildren participated in. He made friends everywhere he went and had an honest, straightforward personality that everyone loved.

He is survived by his companion, Theresa Bilski; his daughters and sons-in-law, Becky and Steven Krebs of Fayetteville, Cindy and Timothy Joswiak of Brenham, Vicky and Doyle Reeves, of Burton, Wendy and David Warner Sr. of Burton; his son Danny Koerth of Caldwell; his grandchildren, Monica Reeves, John and Megan Joswiak, Jacob and Brittany Joswiak, David and Bailey Warner Jr., Tyler Krebs, Rachel and Cullen Jozwiak, Makaylah, Jace, and Jaxon Koerth; his great grandchildren, Ilyee Joswiak, Elijah and Abel Warner. Other survivors include his sister, Daulene Hopmann; sister-in-law, Betty Koerth; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Allan Koerth and Delton Koerth; sister and brother-in-law, Betty Jo and Maurice Petersen; brother-in-law, Edward Hopmann; grandson, Justin Joswiak; great granddaughters, Shoshanna and Lux Warner; nephew, Kenneth Koerth; special neighbor and friend, Nelson Neutzler.

The viewing will be held Wednesday, October 28th from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham, the family will receive visitors from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The outside funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Greenvine Cemetery Pavilion with Deaconess Cindy Robles and Pastor Glen Schoeneberg officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Please bring a chair if needed. Due to Covid-19, we will be postponing a celebration of life to be held at a later date.

Pallbearers include Doyle Reeves, David Warner Sr., Tim Joswiak, Steven Krebs, Jacob Joswiak, Tyler Krebs, Calvin Bilski, and Cullen Jozwiak. Honorary Pallbearers are Jace and Jaxon Koerth, David Warner Jr., Dale Guelker, Eldon Mikeska, Charlie Hodde, Burton Short Stop Skat players, as well as his nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements for Billy Dean Koerth are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main Brenham. Memorials may be given to Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Greenvine.

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