Willie Kankel, Jr.

Willie Kankel, Jr.

November 1, 1933 - May 1, 2025

Willie Kankel, Jr. passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the age of 91. He was born on November 1, 1933, to Willie Kankel, Sr. and Selma Gorges Kankel.

Willie was baptized on December 10, 1933, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Prairie Hill by Pastor Paul Gogolin. He was confirmed on March 21, 1948, by Pastor C.J. Appel at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in William Penn, where he remained a devoted member throughout his life. He faithfully served the church in many roles, including Chairman of the Congregation, Elder, Treasurer, and Trustee. He was also active in the Bethlehem Lutheran Laymen's League, where he held leadership positions and helped organize the annual Potato Pancake Supper. His faith was central to his life, and he raised his children to know and trust in the Lord.

Willie learned the value of hard work at an early age and lived his life with integrity, patience, and quiet strength. A proud member of the Greatest Generation, he treated everyone with kindness and respect, and his word was his bond.

He attended grade school in Independence and William Penn, graduated from Brenham High School in 1952, and continued his studies at Blinn College. Willie served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Gelnhausen, Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1957.

That same year, on October 20, 1957, Willie married Grace Mertins. They shared 67 wonderful years together, raising two children, Craig and Lynn.

Willie owned and operated Washington County Tractor in Brenham for many years. After selling the business, he enjoyed farming and golfing with his close friends Clarence Eben, Leon Roberts, and Glenn Wehring every Tuesday and Friday. The foursome shared plenty of laughs at the Brenham Country Club, where Willie proudly notched a hole-in-one in 2006. He and Grace also loved traveling with friends and business associates to destinations throughout North America and Europe, including Hawaii, Canada, and Italy, Germany, Poland, and Budapest.

A lover of card games and dominoes, Willie and Grace were members of the Pitch Club for over 50 years. He was an avid fan of the Astros and the Texas A&M Aggies. Most of all, he cherished time with his family, never missing his grandsons' baseball games or his granddaughters' many activities.

Willie also gave back to his community, serving as a member of the Prairie Hill Volunteer Fire Department and the Independence Historical Society.

Known for his quiet demeanor and sharp sense of humor, Willie was deeply loved and respected. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Grace; son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Jackie Kankel; daughter, Lynn Van Eman; grandchildren, Kaleigh and Blake Wehmeyer, Lauren and Kurt Alfred, William and Kenzie Kankel, Steven and Whitney Van Eman; and great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Grace Alfred, Brody Craig Kankel, Judd James Van Eman, Lydia Jane Alfred, Evelyn Blake Wehmeyer, Georgia Jane Van Eman, Andrew Kent Alfred, Brooks William Kankel, and Everett Otto Wehmeyer.

Additional surviving family members include brothers-in-law, Carl "Bubba" Mertins, Lester and JoAnn Mertins; cousins Florence Boehnemann, Doris Warren, Lester and Libby Lehmann, Clinton and La Verne Smith, and Daniel Kankel; nieces and nephews, Holly and Cary Hamby, Matt Mertins, and Dayne Hugo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Herman and Lydia Mertins; sister-in-law, Sandy Mertins; niece, Brittney Mertins; and son-in-law, Kent Van Eman.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 4th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. The funeral service for Willie will be Monday, May 5th, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in William Penn. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers include William Kankel, Steven Van Eman, Kurt Alfred, Blake Wehmeyer, Alan Warren, Ralph Becker, Brody Kankel and Judd Van Eman. Honorary pallbearers are Wallace Klussmann, Billy Joe Pohlmeyer, Donald Ahrens, John Tiaden, Ron Alfred, Jerry Kohring, Lester Lehmann, and the members of the Bethlehem Lutheran Laymen's League.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church of William Penn.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main St., Brenham, TX. To view the obituary online and post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.