William Rothermel

On Tuesday, May 8th our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend, William Adolph Rothermel, 84, was called to his Heavenly home. He was born May 18, 1922 in Burton, Texas, the son of Bailleux E. and Nathalie Ponfick Rothermel. He attended Burton Public School and Brenham High School before joining the military service in World War II. He served six years in the Marine Corps including tours in the Pacific and China; flying off aircraft carriers as a rear gunner and radio operator. After the War, he met and married his lovely bride Joanie Smick on October 18th of 1952, Los Angeles, CA and had two children Michael David, and Laurie Louise Satterfield. He devoted 26 years to the Los Angeles Police Department, finishing his career at the rank of Sergeant of Detectives in 1973. He, his wife and daughter moved to Brenham after retirement and have enjoyed living in Oak Hill Acres for 33 years. His love of gardening has produced bountiful harvests of vegetables which he has shared with all the family and many, many good friends. His love of the outdoors found him living for the seasons - enjoying many good years of hunting and fishing including the last several with his grandsons. He and his wife Joanie have participated in many local service, card and dance clubs and have traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe. He is survived by his wife, Joan; his son, Michael Rothermel of Phoenix, AZ; daughter and son-in-law, Laurie Rothermel and Dr. William Satterfield of Elgin, Texas; grandchildren, Cade, Colby, and Tyson Satterfield of Elgin, TX, and Susan Granstrom of San Ramon, CA; his brothers and sisters-in-law, James Douglas and Dorothy Ann Hodde Rothermel, Thomas and Dorothy Noak Rothermel, all of Brenham; his sister, Nathalie Rothermel Landua, sister and brother-in-law, Annie Laurie Rothermel Thaler and Raymond Thaler all of Brenham, many nieces and nephews; and many good friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Dr. William Satterfield, Cade Satterfield, Tyson Satterfield, Colby Satterfield, Elgin, TX, James D Rothermel Jr., Alvin, TX, Donald H. Rothermel, Katy, TX, and Raymond C. Thaler, Jr., Burton, TX. Honorary Pallbearers are Lou Malnar, Torrance, CA and John Malnar, San Pedro, CA. Ira Allen, Ed Lehmann, Rev. Nello Strickland Jr., Brenham, TX, Charles E. Landua, Burton, TX, and Jim Christy, Lubbock, TX. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff and volunteers of Brazos Valley Hospice who were a blessing to him and the family during these last months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to Hospice of Brazos Valley or Washington County Healthy Living Association, Brenham, TX. Viewing will be held 6:00-8:00 pm Friday, May 11th at Memorial Oaks Chapel with funeral services following on Saturday, May 12th at 2:00 pm at the Memorial Oaks Chapel prior to interment at Prairie Lea Cemetery. Rev. Jim McClain of First United Methodist Church of Elgin will officiate. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham, TX 77833.