William J. Psencik

William (Bill) Joe Psencik, 81 was born August 21, 1935 near Flatonia, Texas. Surrounded by his family, he entered into the eternal presence of his Lord and Savior on April 30, 2017. The grandson of Czech immigrants, he was raised on a small cattle farm 10 miles South of Smithville, Texas by his parents, Emil and Lillie (Vacek) Psencik. As a child, he enjoyed gardening, raising turkeys, chickens and pigs. Once he began school, he and his cousins would speak Czech to annoy teachers with phrases like “Stará dáma jako žába” (old lady like a frog). After graduating from Smithville High School in 1954, Bill attended Durham Business College. Following graduation, he started his first job at Heep Oil. In 1956, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Champion (Gustafson). After having five (of his six) children, he began working at Page Sutherland Page (PSP) until his retirement in 2000. While at PSP, Bill met and later married Sue (Cunningham) Ball.

Bill was always an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed numerous sporting activities including hunting, fishing, waterskiing, snowskiing and jogging. He was extremely handy around the home, fixing most anything including building items and working on cars. He even built his own brick smoker. Bill eventually retired to Fredericksburg, Texas where he bought raw land that he developed into a beautiful home and peach orchard (the Psencik Peach Farm), planting over 700 peach trees, numerous blackberry vines and a wonderful vegetable garden. He truly had an amazing gift with gardening. He took great pride in his beautifully landscaped yard. He and Sue enjoyed many years at their farm, opening it to the public as a “pick your own” orchard.

Bill was a faithful and devout Catholic his entire life. His grandparents, Anton and Sophia Psencik gift deeded some of their land in Kovar, Texas and helped build the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in 1921. Throughout his life, he donated many hours of his time with such tasks as helping with budgets and financing as well as being a Eucharistic minister.

He is survived by his wife, Sue (Cunningham Ball) Psencik; his sister, Lonnie Myers of Burleson, Texas; his brother, Edward and (Mary Jean) Psencik of Kaufman, Texas and his sister, Gladys (Daniel) Kana of San Antonio, Texas. He is also survived by his children: Linda (John) Steele of Midland, Texas; William G. (Debbie) Psencik of Euless, Texas; Nancy Psencik of Dallas, Texas; Sally (Gary) McNeil of Fairport, New York; Richard Psencik of Austin, Texas; and his step-daughter, Elizabeth (Matt) Whitehead of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Amanda (Charles Caouette) Sutphen, Adam (Eirinn) Sutphen, Jessi (Chris Dougherty) Steele, Aaron Steele, Ruth (David) Miller, Megan (Aaron Jacobson) McNeil, Sarah (David) Neiling, Karlee Psencik, Craig Longley, Brian (Megan) Longley, Abby Whitehead and Remi Whitehead. And also his 15 great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his stepdaughter, Susan Ball Longley, and his eldest daughter, Carrie Jo (Psencik) Sutphen. Our family expresses deep appreciation for the care provided to Bill by the staff at Brookdale Parmer Lane, and by Nurse Next Door and Traci Boyle. Memorial Donations may be made to House of Friends, Bethany United Methodist Church and the Alzheimer’s Association of Austin.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 4th from 4-6 PM with the Rosary immediately following at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin. The funeral service will be Friday, May 5th at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive, Austin, Texas. Internment will immediately follow at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kovar.

To share condolence with the family, please visit www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.