Donald Wass

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. for a Washington County Sheriff s Office deputy who died Sunday near Kenney, Texas. Donald Ellis Wass, 35, of Bellville, an almost 10-year veteran of the sheriff s office, died following an accident on Highway 36 South in Austin County early Sunday morning. A graduate of the Gus George Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Academy, Wass began his career with the Washington County Sheriff s Office in June of 1996, starting as a deputy jailer. He was placed in the patrol division in 1997. Due to his role in the capture of Robert Gene Will II on Dec. 4, 2000, who had shot and killed Harris County Deputy Barry Hill and fled, Wass received a number of awards and commendations. Along with local recognition by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, he received the Peace Officer of the Year from the Washington County Council and the Buddy Wright American Legion Post #48. Wass was also selected by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to receive the State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor. Wass was also recognized by the Brazos Valley Area Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts in fighting drunk driving in Washington County through his diligent patrol work. Wass had achieved the status of Advanced Peace Officer through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. Through his many hours of continuing education, he was certified as a field training officer, training a number of new patrol deputies for the sheriff s office and an instructor. Deputy Wass was born May 30, 1970, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Donald James Jim and Sue Ellan Spear Wass. He was baptized Sept. 6, 1970 in Kirkwood United Methodist Church in Kirkwood, Missouri. On July 11, 1998, he was married to Amanda Mandi Eldridge at Houston Farm and Ranch Club. Survivors include his wife, Amanda Mandi Wass of Bellville; daughter, Jolie Beth Wass of Bellville; parents, Sue and Jim Wass of Bellville; brother and sister-in-law, Brett and Monica Wass of Long Beach, California; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jennings and Doris Eldridge of Sabine Pass; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Danny and Jenny Kelley of Houston, Lou and Paula Fairchild of Sabine Pass, Curtis and Leslie Eldridge of Bridge City and Phil and Vicky Carley of Houston. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 27, in St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham with Chaplain Bob Grigg and Rev. Bill Lanigan officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Following the graveside service, a luncheon will be held at the K of C Hall, 2804 Gun and Rod Rd., Brenham. Pallbearers will be Victor Kuykendoll, Charles Hamby, Johnny Powell, Shane Snider, Curtis Kulow, Jerry Maywald, Doug Zwiener, William Shepherd, Dane Houston and Richard Zaborowski. The Washington County Sheriff s Office and all of Wass brothers and sisters in uniform will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be given to the Jolie Wass Education Fund in care of Citizens State Bank, P.O. Box 90 in Brenham, TX 77834.