Deacon William "Bill" Gier

"
Deacon William "Bill" James Gier II, 70, of Beaumont, Texas died Monday, July 15, 2024. He was born November 17, 1953, to William J. Gier and Josephine Lena Krauskopf in Bay City, Texas.
Bill grew up in Bay City, Texas. He and his mother moved to Vidor during his high school years, following his father's death. He graduated from Lamar University with an Associate's Degree in fire safety management. He began working at MobilOil in 1973 and retired with forty years of service from ExxonMobil. Always a man of service, he spent many years in the Vidor Volunteer Fire Department, including as fire chief, and as a fire inspector for the City of Vidor.
Faith, love of family, and service defined Bill's life. In 1972, Bill married Deborah Christie and they recently celebrated their fifty-second wedding anniversary. His children, Maryn and Will, were born and raised in Vidor. Their family converted to Catholicism in 1988 under the guidance of Father Bennie Patillo and Sister Miriam Ulm at St. Anthony Cathedral. Four grandchildren joined the family and were baptized into the Catholic faith.
After his retirement, Bill offered his help to Father Jerry McGrath at St. Anthony in any capacity in which he was needed and spent many years working in the parish office. During that time, he received a call to the diaconate and entered formation. He was forever grateful for the mentorship and spiritual guidance of Father Jerry McGrath, Deacon Larry David, Father Gus Wahl and too many others to name. Father Jim McClintock and his parish family at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches joyfully welcomed Bill into diaconate service.
He was an active member and volunteer with many organizations, including Knights of Columbus Council 951 of Beaumont; Kolbe Prison Ministry; Diocesan Prison Ministry; Serra Vocation Ministry of Beaumont; volunteer, Beaumont St. Elizabeth Hospital; Diocesan Stewardship Committee; Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem; ACTS Community; Catholic Charities; Market to Hope; and ExxonMobil Retirees. Although he never cooked at home, he could always be found on First Fridays cooking at the KC Hall.
Deacon Bill is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Deborah Christie Gier; daughter, Maryn Gier Taylor; son, Will Gier; best friend of 70 years, Joel Graeter; Sister in Christ, Jane Kemplay (" and Jane."); his four grandchildren: Chloe Gier Spellicy, Conner Gier, Noah Taylor, and Joshua Taylor; his sidekick poodle, Sir; and his Brothers in Christ, the deaconate class of 2023.
Deacon Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill Gier and Josephine Gier Almond, his mother-in-law, Beverly Clary Ridgeway, and his Brother in Christ, Brown Chapman.
In the front of his Christian prayer book, he had written this charge to himself:
Be A Servant.
Be Available.
Be Willing to be Available.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation that will help his parish continue to grow: St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Building Fund, 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches, TX 77651
A Rosary for Deacon Gier will be recited at 4:15 p.m., with a gathering of his family and friends to follow until his Christian Vigil service at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 18, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches. A reception will be held afterwards in Hebert Hall.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Port Neches. A reception will be 12:00 p.m., at Holy Family Retreat Center, 9920 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A family graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.