Willie Schawe

Willie Henry W. H. Schawe, age 93, died on February 5, 2006, in Trinity Care Center, Brenham. Born near the Wesley Community in Washington County, Texas, on February 22, 1912, he was the eldest of four sons of Willie F. and Albertine Sunderhuse Schawe. He was baptized Wilhelm Heinrich Fredrick Otto Schawe on June 23, 1912, by Pastor Johannes Mgebroff in Salem Lutheran Church near Brenham, Texas. Pastor Arthur Hartmann confirmed him on April 10, 1927, in St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham, in which he continued as a life long member. He was educated in the Brenham public schools. For over 65 years he worked as a blacksmith, with his first shop in Carmine, Texas, then in World War II, and since November 1945 at 311 South Park St. in Brenham in the building which previously was a saloon and livery stable. He operated this shop continuously for 55 years until December 2000, when his health forced him to quit at almost age 89. For eight months in 1941 he served in the U. S. Army and was released November 8, 1941, on reserve status, but recalled to active duty on November 17, 1942, for the duration of the war. He served as a blacksmith repairing equipment in the U. S. Army 843rd Engineer Aviation Battalion. Their mission was to construct airstrips for Allied fighter planes primarily in England, France, and Germany, but also in several other European countries. He fought battles in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was awarded the E.A.M.E. Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, four Overseas Service Bars, a Service Stripe, and the Good Conduct Medal. On October 14, 1945, after four years and seven months of service to his country, he was given an Honorable Discharge with $8.80 travel pay to find his way home. Since that time he has been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Willie and Elsie Marie Blum, the daughter of Rudolph and Marie Jahnke Blum, were married on December 12, 1941, by their brother-in-law Pastor Herman Engeling at St. Peter s Lutheran Church in Elgin, Texas. His wife for almost 53 years, Elsie preceded him in death on November 17, 1994, after a long illness. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Henry Schawe of Independence on March 3, 1949, and John Schawe of Knippa, near Uvalde, on January 14, 1992. He is survived by his children, R. B. Schawe and wife Beverly of Brenham, Mary Louise Schawe of Austin, and William H. Schawe and wife Sandra of Chappell Hill; five granddaughters, Elizabeth Crow and husband Norman of Spring, Jacquelyn Moore and husband Douglas of Plantersville, Rebekah McCarty and special friend Duane Ahrens of Brenham, Amanda Finke and husband Corey of San Antonio, and Suzanne Schawe and fiancé Justin Flasowski of Brenham; nine great-grandchildren, Seth McCarty, Kaili Crow, Rayce Crow, Kianna Crow, Scotlon Moore, Schuyler Moore, Sterling Moore, Starla Moore, and Mason Finke; brother and sister-in-law, Alvin and Esther Schawe of Independence; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Pallbearers are Duane Ahrens, Corey Finke, Justin Flasowski, Brian Fritz, Michael Kelling, Douglas Moore, James Schawe, and James Wolff. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham on Wednesday, February 8, at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be next to his wife in the St. Paul s Lutheran Church of Phillipsburg Cemetery, where his parents-in-law are also buried and who were two of 14 charter members of that church in 1890. The family will receive friends and family from 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, at Memorial Oaks Chapel. The family suggests memorials be given to the Radio and T.V. Ministry of St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 305 West Third, Brenham.