William Bell Fenner Jr.

Bill, as he was known by most, was born on Nov. 8, 1927 in Edna, Texas. In his childhood years, he experienced life on a farm. Later his family moved to Houston, and his dad established a real estate business. Bill enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1949, Bill married the love of his life, Marjorie Sheffield. They lived in Houston and then in Pasadena for many years and had three daughters.

While working and starting their family, he completed his education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from University of Houston and began his career as a purchasing agent. Later, he went into the oil business during which time, he and his family lived several years in Lafayette, LA, then back and forth between Pasadena/Houston and Lafayette. Bill always thrived on hard work and strived to conduct business honorably which brought him the great admiration and respect of his employees, colleagues, friends, and family.

In his retirement, Bill happily returned to farm life, gardening and raising cattle, on acreage outside Bellville, Texas. A life-long Methodist, Bill and Margie were active members of the First United Methodist Church of Sealy and Millheim Harmonie Hall in Bellville. He enjoyed being part of that community until they moved to Needville, Texas. Throughout life his passions included gardening; politics; dogs, especially Dalmatians; and motor vehicles, specifically Fords.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William Bell Fenner, Sr. and Lola Myers Fenner; his sister, Delores Fenner Walthall; and brother, Dr. Charles E. Fenner. His surviving family members include his sister, Annette Fenner Hains; his wife, Margie; his daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Guy Smith, Jan and Alton Hartfield, and Karen and Rick Thigpen; 8 grandchildren, Steven Fenner, Willie Shane, Lisa Shane, Brandon Thigpen, Jeffrey Thigpen, Abby Thigpen, Erica Thigpen, Kyle Smith, and their families; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom Bill greatly loved.

The family expresses deep gratitude to the many caregivers assisting Bill in the past few years that his health declined due to the effects of strokes: the VA Administration, Reliable Oaks Nursing Facility, Aegis Agency, and Houston Hospice.

In his memory, the family suggests donations may be made to Bill’s favorite charity, the Wounded Warrior Project, https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org or any charity of choice.