William M. Kennedy

William M. “Bill” Kennedy of New Braunfels, Texas, passed away on January 30, 2016, at the age of 91. Mr. Kennedy was born on May 15, 1924 in Texarkana, Texas to William and Maude Kennedy. He graduated from high school in Texarkana, Texas in 1941 and entered The University of Texas. After three years of service in the United States Navy and one year of employment in China by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, he returned to the University of Texas and graduated with LL.B in 1950 and a BBA in 1951. Concluding a career of forty-two years in the oil and gas business as a Scout, Landman, Exploration Manager, and Attorney, he retired in 1993. After residing in Houston, Texas since 1955 he and his wife, Virginia moved to New Braunfels in 1991. He was an active member of the First Protestant Church and taught Sunday school there for many years. He was married to Virginia Jouett of Lafayette, Louisiana from 1954 until her death in 1995. They had four children, Maxine, Clara, Russell, and John. He married Charlotte Bowers of Schertz, Texas in 1997 and was married until her death in 2005. He was a past President of the Houston Association of Petroleum Landmen and had been active in youth baseball and football programs in Houston. He was a member of the Texas Bar Association, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 2999.

He is survived by his daughters; Maxine Johnson of New Braunfels, Texas, and Clara Wentland and husband, Mark of Carlsbad, California; sons, William Russell Kennedy of Houston, Texas, and John Patrick Kennedy and wife, Charlene of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Becky Wentland O’Neill and husband John, and Matthew Wentland and wife Paula; and great-grandchildren, Lily Helen O’Neill, Luke Malcolm O’Neill, and Martin Peter Wentland.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Zoeller Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 10:00am at First Protestant Church of New Braunfels. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory, to the First Protestant Church Mission Fund, 172 W. Coll St. New Braunfels, TX. 78130, or to the S.O.S. Food bank, PO Box 311032, New Braunfels, TX. 78131.