W.H. "Bill" Vesper

W.H. “Bill” Vesper, age 94, of Brenham, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025, peacefully at his home.

Bill was born on December 18, 1930, in Ellisville, MO to parents Fred Vesper and Catherine Broemmelsick. He was the second born of six boys. Bill was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ellisville, MO. Bill married his wife Darla Vesper on March 14 ,1952, at St. John’s Lutheran Church and they celebrated 71 beautiful years of marriage.

Bill went to school in Springfield, MO and graduated from high school in 1948. His first job was working on the factory lines for Hussmann in 1949. He then joined the Air Force where he served his country for 6 years, 18 months of which he was stationed in Alaska. He met his wife Darla at a Christmas party, and they later married and purchased their first home in Missouri. They had their daughter Karen in 1957 and then moved to New Jersey in 1960 where their son Keith was born in 1962. In 1973 they moved to Brenham and Bill became the general manager of Old Brazos Forge. He was a pioneer for providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities at Brenham State Supportive Living Center and was honored by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce as Man of the Year in 1974. In 1978 they moved to Florida where he worked for Excel Industries and then moved back to New Jersey in 1983. They then moved to Branford Ontario where Bill became the President of Hussmann Canada where he oversaw companies from British Columbia to Scotland. Bill returned to finish out his career with Hussmann as the general manager in 1990 after 40 years of service in the industry. He came out of retirement and worked for several companies that included Lee Rowan, Newell/Rubbermaid, Trachte and Wausau Homes. He officially retired at age 87 and returned to Brenham where he spent his sunset years with his wife Darla by his side.

Bill was a self-made man; he never met a stranger; he had an exceptionally strong work ethic and was a mentor to many. A great example of that was when he was eight years old, where he worked for his aunt on the farm for a nickel a day. He always met challenges head on, he could fix anything, he loved bailing hay and being on the farm, and in his later years he enjoyed making homemade wine. He and Darla never missed a St. Louis Cardinals game, and they loved to travel together by car to see their kids and grandkids. Bill was a true man of faith, which was a value that was weaved into everything he did. He was the definition of grit and has left a legacy on everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Catherine, his wife Darla Vesper, grandson Michael Dudich, son-in-law Bill Winkelmann, and four brothers Fred Jr. (Freddy), Maurice (Mike), Leonard (Lenny), and Jordan Vesper.

Surviving family includes daughter, Karen Vesper Winkelmann; son, Keith Vesper; brother; Kenny Vesper, grandchild, Katie Yates and spouse Kyle Yates, great-grandchildren, Rylie Dudich, Zoey Dudich, Kalvin Yates, Karter Yates, Kayegan Meyer, Henry Correa, Adam Correa, Allie Correa, Hannah Correa. Step grandchildren, Shannon and Trey Meyer and Shane and Gabriel Correa. Sister-in-laws; Arlene, Gracie, Barbara, Peggy and Linda Vesper.

The family would like to give a special thank you for all the loving care and support that was given to Bill by Rose Bennett, Roslyn Hearne, Lily Webb, Quinteria Sweed, Tierra McBride, April White, Darlene Curry and Doris Lott. A big thank you to Rochelle Adams FNP and the Scott & White infusion team and the volunteer greeters for all they did for Bill.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to Wiedeville Church or St. Jude Childrens Hospital Charities in honor of Bill.

Funeral Services will be held at Brenham Memorial Chapel with Rev. John Van Heneghan conducting the service. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 25th at 1:30pm with a celebration of life service following at 2pm.

Bill will be laid to rest by his wife Darla and parents Fred and Catherine at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Ellisville, Missouri and escorted by his beloved brother Kenny by his side.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Condolences may be shared with the family at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com