William Gaskamp

William R. Bill Gaskamp, 74, passed away Dec. 28, 2005 in the presence of family, after succumbing to congestive heart failure. Bill was born Dec. 6, 1931 in Brenham, Washington County, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Bernice Ham Gaskamp; children and spouses, Peggie and Greg Beaudoin of Bethesda, Md., Robin and Steven Levatino of Austin and Brent and Robyn Gaskamp of Austin; grandchildren, Claire Levatino, Samuel Levatino, Grace Levatino and Ryan Elizabeth Gaskamp, all of Austin; brother and sister-in-law, Weldon and Virginia Gaskamp of Brenham; mother-in-law, Edna Ham of Brenham; brother-in-law, Reeves Ham of Brenham; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto Henry and Lillian Rodenbeck Gaskamp; nephew, Todd Gaskamp; father-in-law, Ivey Ham; and cousins, Robert E. Gaskamp and Milton Gaskamp. Bill was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter''s Lutheran Church, Gay Hill, Texas. On June 8, 1962, Bill married Bernice, who became the joy of his life and his best friend. They created a beautiful family together. The love and devotion of his children and grandchildren was more than he ever dreamed. Bill also appreciated the love and support he received from his brother Weldon. His life was also filled with the full support of his parents, cousins and friends, and he thought that his family and friends were all that life was about. Before Bill left us, he told everyone he saw how much they meant to him and challenged them to have a great life. Bill was a graduate of Brenham High School where he obtained all-state honors for his exploits as a running back class of 1950. He was a graduate from Blinn College, Rice University class of 1955, the American Institute of Banking and the Southwest School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He also served honorably in the United States Army. Bill worked for the Houston Bank & Trust Company from 1955 until 1967 and left to return to Brenham to become vice president at the Washington County State Bank where he remained from December 1967 until December 1990. He served as president and CEO of the bank from 1980 until 1990. Bill was very active in the banking industry and served on the board of the Texas Bankers Association and the Texas Independent Bank of Dallas. Additionally, Bill was active in the community, serving as president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, president of the Washington County Fair Association, president of the Brenham Noon Lions, director of the Brenham Industrial Foundation, chairman of the March of Dimes, chairman of the church council at St. John''s Lutheran Prairie Hill, the first chairman of the Volunteer Services Council of Brenham State School and various other positions in the community. In 1972, he was selected as Washington County Man of the Year. In 1991, Bill and Bernice relocated to Pagosa Springs, Colo. where he opened a real estate office. While in Colorado, Bill decided he wanted to pursue a role in the church and returned to Texas to attend Texas Lutheran University to complete the required course work to become an associate in ministry. He served a one-year internship at Dr. Martin Luther Church of Shiner under the supervision of Pastor H. Charles Eckert. After working in the Yorktown and Brenham areas preaching, doing home communions, visiting hospitals and shut-ins, he was asked to serve as interim pastor at Elizabeth Lutheran Church of Caldwell. On Sept. 28, 1997, he became the pastor of Elizabeth Lutheran Church and served for over four years in Caldwell until retiring. His work in the ministry was the most rewarding and fulfilling of his life. Bill believed that God''s purpose for mankind was to serve, especially those less fortunate. After retiring, Bill and Bernice returned to Brenham to be near family and friends. In January 2004 Bill and Bernice moved to Austin to be near their children and grandchildren. Bill was inducted into the Brenham High School Football Hall of Fame Sept. 30, 2005, an honor which he was very proud to receive. Pallbearers are Douglas Borchardt, Walter Holle, Fred Kessel, Lloyd Koenig, Norwood Lange, Gus Mutscher, Bill Niemeyer, Waymann Nedbalek, Paul Senff and Bill Traylor. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Paul''s Day School, the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice. Visitation with the family will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 in Memorial Oaks Chapel. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church Saturday, Dec. 31 at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham, is in charge of arrangements.