Herschel C. Williams

Herschel C. Williams, 91, of Baytown was born November 11, 1917 in Cedar Bayou and passed away Monday, October 26, 2009 in a local hospital.

Herschel was a direct descendant of Amos and Susan Barber. They were the founders of Barbers Hill, and his great grandparents. Growing up in Cove during the depression, his family farmed and raised cattle. Herschel attended grade school at Cove before transferring to Barbers Hill, where he finished High School and graduated in 1937. He played football, ran track, and continued to support the sports program throughout the years. During football season, if humanly possible, he would be there on Friday nights to root for the Eagles. He saw his last football game this past Friday night at the Hill. He worked for Exxon in the research and development laboratory and helped to develop plastic to its present form. He retired in 1977 after 38 years of service. He was a Charter member of the 7th Street Church of Christ, where he served as an Elder. He loved to worship the Lord. You always knew walking into church that Herschel would be there, devotedly sitting in his pew every service. If the doors were open he was there. He attended his last service Sunday morning even though he was not feeling well. Serving the Lord was what he loved most, and throughout his years he baptized over ninety people, the last being his great grandson Colton Kaiser. He also performed weddings for eighty couples and eulogized about ninety-five funerals. He did missionary work in Nigeria and was an avid supporter of the work in India. He enjoyed his family, camping, traveling with grandmother, his dog Holly, coconut cake and pie, debating scripture, selling religious books and writing letters to the editor for The Baytown Sun. His leadership, strength and character are an inspiration to all his family, brethren and friends. He leaves a void in all our lives. He will be greatly missed!

He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Williams and grandson, Claud Daniel Kaiser. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Jack Bruce and Judy and Don Kaiser; grandchildren and their spouses, Mike and Christine Bruce, Lana and Darryl Torres, Donnie and Lori Kaiser and Katherine Kaiser; great grandchildren, Shelbea Harrington Combs and husband, Salah Combs, Asia Harrington, Drew Torres, Evie Torres, Olivia Bruce, Colton Kaiser and Karson Kaiser.

His family will receive friends Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Eagle Heights Fellowship Church, 14120 Hwy 146, Dayton, TX 77535. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Eagle Heights Fellowship Church with Pat Mannon, Ty Fleming and Justin Springer officiating. Burial will follow at Barber Cemetery in Mont Belvieu.

Serving as pallbearers will be Donnie Kaiser, Mike Bruce, Darryl Torres, Sam Harris, Dave Perry and Jack Bruce. Honorary pallbearers will be Colton Kaiser and Drew Torres.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be sent to the Nigeria work in care of Justin Springer, 4501 Sandy Ridge Lane, Manvel, TX 77578.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.