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Long time Clear Lake resident Will Sherwell Zaal, known to family and friends as Sherwell and "Bill", passed away peacefully August 29, 2013 after a short illness. Sherwell was born on July 17, 1930 in Atlanta, GA to parents Thomas Robert Bennett and Minnie Louton Bennett of Hot Springs, AR. She grew up in Overton and Lake Jackson, Texas. Sherwell graduated from Freeport High School and married her husband of over 50 years, George Arthur Zaal, of Paramaribo, Surinam.
In 1954, she and George migrated to Riverside California. While raising three sons, Sherwell volunteered her time to Cub Scouts, and other youth development activities. She also developed a passion for oil painting that would be her focus for many years.
In 1967, Sherwell and her family returned to Texas and settled in Clear Lake. For many years, Sherwell and George displayed and sold her paintings at local arts and crafts events. She was an avid reader and loved roses, plumerias and orchids. She also served as an election judge at her local precinct. In recent months, Sherwell was a resident of Emeritus at Clear Lake, where she quickly made many new friendships and enjoyed playing bridge.
Sherwell is survived by her three sons, Thomas, William, and Eric Zaal; five grandchildren Matthew Zaal and Megan Sigholz, Travis, Tyler, and Troy Zaal; two great grandchildren Austin Zaal, and Sumner Jude Sigholz. Other surviving local relatives include sister-in-law Astrid Zaal and numerous nieces and nephews..
A gathering of family and friends is planned to celebrate Sherwell's life on Saturday, September 7th. Contact Tom Zaal at 713-459-1288 for specific time and location. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Sherwell's name to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org), or a charity of your choice.
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Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
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