William Adolf Genzer

William Adolf “Bill” Genzer, 99, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2016 in Ormond Beach, Florida. Over the last three years, he has been residing in an assisted living facility near the home of his daughter and son-in-law Carol and Kevin Kilian, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Prior to moving to Florida, Bill had been a resident of Wharton since 1951 and was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Bill was born in the Holman community near LaGrange, Texas on November 9, 1916, to William and Matilda (Brandt) Genzer. He married Sarah Ann Quattlebaum on April 12, 1940, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Houston. They were married for 72 years until she preceded him in death in June of 2012. Bill attended grade school in Garwood and Newgulf and graduated from Boling High School in 1935. After graduating Business College in 1939, he was employed in Houston’s IBM Engineering Department. A Veteran of World War II, he was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and was stationed in Washington D.C. with the Quartermaster General Headquarters in the War Department. After the war, he returned to IBM where he remained until 1951 when his mother passed away. He moved to Wharton with his family to join his father in their custom haymaking and farming business. Bill, his wife and their two children, Carol Anne and William Robert, resided on Cottondale Road near Iago until 1956 at which time they moved to Wharton. He continued farming and ranching after his father’s death in 1972. Until his retirement in 1985, Bill was owner and operator of Wharton Fertilizer Service, a dealer and custom application of liquid fertilizer and farm chemicals. Until his wife’s death, he continued to be active in farming and in the community. He served on the Parish Council of Holy Family Catholic Church; was charter member organizer and president of St. Vincent DePaul Society; was a member of the Holy Name Society; and was an Honorary Life member and past Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 3262. Bill was the embodiment of the term “gentleman farmer”. He was a kind and gentle man of integrity who remained the respected patriarch of the family until his death. He leaves behind a legacy of memories for his family and friends laced with laughter, friendship, and love. Preceding him in death were Ann, his beloved wife of 72 years; son William Robert; sister and brother-in-law Lorraine and Robert Koenig; nieces Dianne Robertson and Susan Herrmann; and granddaughter-in-law Regina Genzer. Survivors include daughter Carol Anne Kilian (Kevin) of Daytona Beach, FL; grandson Scott Ward of Dallas; granddaughter Shari Berens (Chris) of Mount Dora, FL; granddaughter Kelly Kincaid (Larry) of Reno, NV; granddaughter Monika Jordan (Daren) of Fulshear; grandson William Curtis Genzer (Catherine) of Boling; nephew Robert Koenig of Houston; niece Lori Ann Marland (Mike) of San Antonio; fifteen great-grandchildren Aris, Avyn, Celt, and Evyr Ward; Austin and Katherine Berens; Jeremiah, Kayleigh, and Christian Kincaid; Vivien and John William Jordan; William, Elizabeth, Tristan, and Matthew Genzer; and three great-great grandchildren. Rosary services and visitation will take place at Wharton Funeral Home on Friday, August 19 at 5:00PM. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 20, 10:00AM at Holy Family Catholic Church. Internment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Wharton. Donations and memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church of Wharton. Condolences can be made at www.whartonfh@yahoo.com Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.