William Frank Talafuse

William Frank Talafuse William Talafuse, 99, of Wharton, Texas, died Monday evening, May 9, 2016, at a Wharton nursing home after a brief illness. He was born on August 1, 1916 in Kirtley, Texas to the late Frank and Sallie Kellar Talafuse. William was raised on a ranch near Magnet and later Lane City. He married Janie Agnes Macha on November 16, 1938 in Wharton. William served our country in the United States Army during World War II as a member of Company A, 147th Engineers Combat Battalion, landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day for which he was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation among other awards. He also participated in the Battle of the Bulge. After earning his Honorable Discharge, he returned home and worked for Wharton County and Brown & Root as a heavy equipment operator. In the early 1950s, William went to work for Texas Illinois Natural Gas Pipeline Company (which later became Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America), also as a heavy equipment operator. William moved his family to Falfurrias, Texas in 1963 where he worked as a pipeline maintenance foreman for Natural Gas Pipeline Company until his retirement in 1981 after almost 30 years of service. William and Janie returned to Wharton in 1987. He enjoyed fishing, taking naps, and telling stories. Janie preceded him in death on August 15, 2003. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by brothers, Clarence, Tilman, and Floyd and sister, Flora Kielman. William is survived by his sons, Bill and wife, Peggy, of Houston and Larry and wife, Melanie, of Round Top, three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Brothers Thurman of Wharton, Wilbert and wife, Gloria, of Louise and Gilbert and wife, Clara Jo, of Wharton also survive. Visitation and funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Wharton Funeral Home. Visitation will start at 9:00 AM with funeral services officiated by Deacon David Valdez starting at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.whartonfuneralhome.com.