John Bryce (J.B.) Hejl

On February 21, 2018, John Bryce Hejl received his final wish, to join his wife, LaVerne Heine Hejl in heaven. They were married for 56 years. We know that this was a very happy reunion for both of them. John was born in Temple, Texas on March 12, 1923 to John B. Hejl and Lillie Kopecky Hejl. When John was very young, the family moved to Austin, Texas. Here John grew up enjoying a childhood any boy would love, including hunting and fishing. They first lived in Hyde Park and then moved to Shoalmont Drive in 1936 when this was still outside of the city limits at 45th Street. John went to Baker Elementary, University Junior High and went on to graduate from Austin High School.

John enlisted in the United States Navy on September 16, 1942. He signed up for the Submarine Service and was sent to New London, CT for training. He was assigned to the SS Moray and sent to the Pacific where he remained for the duration of the war. He was a proud member of the SPJST Lodge #155, Austin and Submarine Veterans of World War II, Central Texas Chapter, of which he was the last surviving member.

John had several jobs with the longest being at the Texas Highway Department and then the University of Texas where he worked in the refrigeration department until his retirement in 1988. With retirement, John found time to do many things he loved, metal detecting, repairing and building just about anything and going out to his place in the country. He also enjoyed building a greenhouse for his wife, tilling her garden, playing with his grandkids and enjoying his evening Dos Equis or margarita.

John is predeceased in death by his parents, an infant brother, his wife LaVerne, ex-wife, Barbara Breakey Greenwell, two nephews and one niece.

He is survived by his children John Hejl, Bill Hejl, Janet Hejl Williams (Quinner), and Diane Hejl; grandchildren Rebecca Hejl Dunmire (Zach), Bonnie Hejl, Natalie Hejl, Lillie Hejl Cameron (Doug), Christina Williams and Celeste Williams; great-grandchildren Marcus Hejl, Camille Dunmire, Conrad Dunmire, Lucia Cameron and Dakota Cameron. John is also survived by his brother Robert Hejl, sisters Josephine Hejl Legg, Marianna Hejl Wood and numerous nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Angie for her loving care of John and all the other kind caregivers at Retirement Nursing Center and his great country neighbor and friend, Robert Olivo for all of his help and visits.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd. Graveside will be held at 11:00 am on March 1, 2018 at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the charity of your choice.