William W. "Bill" Ellerbrock

September 2, 1923 – October 20, 2008

William W. "Bill" Ellerbrock, 85, of College Station went to be with the Lord on Monday, October 20, 2008, at his home. Services are set for 11 a.m. Thursday, October 23, at First United Methodist Church in Bryan. Dr. Bruce Wood of Aldersgate United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will follow at 4 p.m. at Forest Park Lawndale cemetery in Houston. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 22, at Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan.

Bill was born September 2, 1923, in Kansas City, Mo., to Walter and Barbara Ellerbrock. He was raised in Houston and graduated from Webster (Texas) High School in 1941.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served with Cannon Company in the 335th Infantry, which saw action in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the American Theater Campaign medal, the EAME Campaign medal with three Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon, one Service Stripe and two Overseas Service Bars.

Following his discharge from the army in 1945, Bill went to Texas A&M University and graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1948. While at A&M, he played the cornet in the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band with his beloved younger brother, Bud.

Bill married the love of his life, Frances Elizabeth Davidson, on May 20, 1950, in Houston. He was employed by the Texas Highway Department in Houston from 1948 to 1952, and from 1952 to 1955, he was a professional civil engineer for Parker Bros. and Company in Houston and Columbus, Texas. In 1955, he began a 30-year career with the engineering firm of Turner, Collie and Braden in Houston. Bill retired in 1985, but continued to work part-time with Lemus Engineering Co. in Houston until 1990.

Bill raised his family and lived in the Alvin-Manvel area for many years before he and his wife moved to College Station in 2002 to be nearer his children and grandchildren. He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Alvin and was a member of First Methodist Church in Bryan.

Bill was a gentle and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, father-in-law and friend. Bill was quiet-spoken and unassuming, always putting the welfare and needs of others above his own. He never met a stranger and made everyone feel welcome with his friendliness and quick-witted humor. Bill lived his life as a devoted Christian and was a true example of a Godly man.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and only brother, Frank J. "Bud" Ellerbrock.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Frances Ellerbrock of College Station; four daughters, Rebecca Rogers and husband, Alton, of College Station, Elise Bissell and husband, Tim, of Syracuse, N.Y., Beth Barton and husband, Paul, of Austin and Jennifer Killian and husband, Colin, of College Station; a son, Joe Ellerbrock and wife, Monette, of College Station; ten grandchildren, Mandy Wood and husband, Jordan, Neal Rogers, all of College Station, Caleb Bissell of Syracuse, N.Y., Will Rogers of College Station, Ben Bissell of Syracuse, N.Y., Jericho Farmer of College Station, Bethany Bissell of Syracuse, N.Y., Elisa Barton of Austin, Austin Farmer and Cole Killian, both of College Station; two great-grandchildren, Natalie Wood and Melanie Wood, both of College Station; nephews, Jimmy Ellerbrock and wife, Scottie, of Austin, Dr. Michael Ellerbrock and wife, Sue, of Blacksburg, Va., and Billy Ellerbrock and wife, Julie, of Houston; niece, Karen Barret of Amarillo, Texas; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Monica and Caleb Ellerbrock of Blacksburg, Va., Michael Ehrhart of Amarillo, Texas, and Cole and Taylor Ellerbrock of Houston.

Pallbearers will be Billy Ellerbrock, Tim Bissell, Jordan Wood, Neal Rogers, Will Rogers and Cole Ellerbrock. Honorary pallbearers will be Caleb Bissell, Ben Bissell and Cole Killian.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church in Bryan or to a charity of choice.

Please view and sign the guestbook at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.