Charles Lee Bickwermert

Charles Bickwermert, 68, of Damon, TX, passed away on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016, in a Wharton nursing home following a chronic illness. Charlie B, as he was known, was born on November 12, 1948 in Jasper, Indiana to parents, Alva and Dora Schuler Bickwermert. Charlie B~ You were a man of honor, a soldier, and always will be… One who paid the ultimate price, for us to be free… Vietnam was a bitch, as you would say, You did your time there, but sadly hell followed when you came back this way. It finally took your life on Memorial Day, 2016, But you kicked life’s ass, my friend, in between… You, our beloved brother, lived a life of a true man, A friend till the end, always offering a helping hand, A straight talking, no bullshit, one-of-a-kind man, A salty ass, cranky old fart that we all enjoyed, A soft-hearted soul who would give without void. You damn sure didn’t let that Nam hell take the life out of you, You instead kicked its ass, till you were tired, and you were through. As we send you home to God’s welcoming arms, Our hearts are comforted knowing in Heaven, there is no harm, No pain, no sadness, no longing at all… Only gladness, and a cold beer, nice and tall~ You, Charlie B, leave with us forever, Your salty words, your loud ass laughter, And your loving spirit, till we see you in the hereafter. We salute you eternally as a soldier and friend, and we dare not say good-bye… Instead we’ll think of you often, as we look to Heaven where you sit on that great bike in the sky, Till we meet again, our beloved brother, we will miss you …as there will never be another, Quite like you~ Ride on Charlie B, ride free, till we meet again…. in biker Heaven…amen~ Charles B was raised in Jasper, Indiana and attended schools there. He served our country honorably in the United States Army and was a Vietnam War veteran. During his service he was awarded 4 medals: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was formerly employed at Barta Gin in Damon, TX. Charlie B loved his Harley Davidson motorcycles and his dogs. He enjoyed gadgets, putting puzzles together and was handy with his hands. He was a down to earth, no frills, straight-forward, friend till the end kind of a man. Charlie B was preceded in death by his father, Alva Bickwermert, brother, Alva Bickwermert, Jr., sister, Judith Ann and all his “brothers” who served with him during the Vietnam War.. Charlie B is survived by his mother, Dora Schuler Bickwermert of Jasper, IN; son, Brian Bachman of Ireland, IN; sisters Mary Waters of Portersville, IN and Rose Austin and husband, Toby Austin of Portersville, IN. He is survived by good friends Kristi and Bob Farquar and daughters Che’ and Shelbie of Damon, TX, Brooks and Rachel Butler of Damon, Dave and Wendy Mace of Damon, Greg Grey of Damon, Norman Yates of Jasper, IN and a select group of other friends from the Damon area. Serving as honorary pallbearers are all Vietnam War Veterans and his comrades of the Patriot Guard Riders. Following cremation, he will be placed in an urn hand made by his good friend, Brooks. Inurnment will be at Houston National Cemetery on June 13, 2016 at 11 a.m. The procession will be escorted by Charlie’s loved ones and The Patriot Guard Riders. A Memorial service will be held immediately following the burial from 1-6pm at The Open Range Restaurant in Damon, Texas for those wishing to share the camaraderie in remembering our Charlie B.