William "Bill" Bernard Berning Jr.

He was born November 26, 1935 in Beeville, Texas to William and Gladys Houston-Berning.

Bill attended A.C. Jones High School in Beeville, Texas. He graduated in 1963 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas Texas, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He attended Graduate school at the Worden School of Social Service, at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1967. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Bill began his career working for Family Services in Fort Worth, TX for two years, then went to work for John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas for four years. Bill then took over the Adult Mental Health Department at MHMR in Temple, TX for twelve years. After his career with MHMR, he went into Private Practice in Temple, Texas, with his wife, Sheila. They owned and operated a Private Practice, Associated Family Counselors, for the next 25 years. Bill and Sheila worked with numerous agencies while in Private Practice. After retiring from Associated Family Counselors, Bill began another career for many years performing Home Studies for Fort Hood Soldiers who wanted to adopt children. Bill was instrumental in helping to pass State Legislation that requires insurance companies to reimburse clients for utilizing Clinical Social Work services. In 1981, he was actively involved in helping pass Legislation requiring certification for Texas Social Workers. Bill was named the 1988 Texas Social Worker of the Year.

Bill married Sheila Ann Stayart on May 14, 1960. They had two children, Dorothy and Beth.

Bill was a proud member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church for 40 years, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club and Treasurer of the Missionary of Hope Organization and a Brother of the Secular Franciscan Order.

He had a passion for dogs, running, competing in 5 marathons, volunteering, jazz music and concerts. He enjoyed being a drummer with a Jazz group. Bill enjoyed all types of music and has an extensive music collection consisting of reel to reel tapes, CD’s, audio tapes and albums. He also loved to go camping with his family and friends and enjoyed many different types of trailers and RV’s.

Bill will always be remembered for his love of family and friends, a dedicated career as a Social Worker, his Catholic faith and his bible study group of 35 years.

Bill is survived by his wife, Sheila Ann Stayart Berning, daughters, Dorothy Berning and Beth Berning-Mobley, son-in-laws, William Richard Mahaffey and Brian Anthony Mobley, grandsons, Lucas William Mahaffey and Zachary Bernard Mahaffey.

Funeral services will be held at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 2807 Oakdale Drive, Temple, TX 76502 on Friday, November 17th at 11:30 am. A rosary will begin at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation in Bill Berning’s name to the Missionary of Hope, PO Box 788, Bartlett, Texas 76511.

The family would like to thank Bill and Sheila’s Bible Study group of 35 years, Baylor Scott and White Hospice Services, and Bill’s Hospice Nurse, Daschelle.