WILLIAM GERALD SHERMAN

May 4, 1925-October 13, 2016
William Gerald (Billy, Beak, Bill) Sherman, 91, passed away suddenly and peacefully on Oct. 13, 2016, at his home in Aransas Pass, Texas. He was born on May 4, 1925, in Yale, Oklahoma, and was a fourth generation oil industry veteran with family roots at the site of the first oilfield in Titusville, Pennsylvania. Bill was of the Greatest Generation, proudly serving in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946.
Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Dana Lea (Boots) Ingram Sherman and most recently, JoAnn Schindler Sherman; his parents, William Ambler Sherman and Goldie Wilkerson Sherman; his brother, Robert Joseph Sherman; and nephew, Rob Sherman. Also, preceding Bill in death was his mother and father-in-law, Ray and Mattie Lea Ingram; and brother and sister-in-law, Milton and Patricia Ingram and their daughter, Elizabeth.
He is survived by his dear and loving sister, Dorothy Ramsey of Goliad, Texas; his son, Chad Sherman (Karen); his daughters, Lea Anzalotta (Orlando) and Lesly Sherman, along with stepson Mark Schindler (Mari); two grandchildren, Billy Sherman, Ben Sherman (Faith) and four step-grandchildren, Wendy Moore (Justin), Kevin Jordan (Jamie), Kyle Jordan and Scott Schindler; and two step-great-grandchildren, Calvin and Emily Moore. He had a host of surviving nieces and nephews, loving each dearly.
He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Margaret Ingram of Austin, Texas, and a cousin, Leroy Wilkerson of Tulsa, Oklahoma. And of course, little Jack.
Bill spent his early years in Victoria, Texas, where he established many friends while attending Patti Welder High School and Victoria Jr College. He excelled in athletics but his high school career was cut short as he was drafted into the Navy in his senior year.
Upon returning home after the war, he attended, starred and lettered in football for the Pirates of Victoria Jr College, married Boots Ingram in 1948 and began his oil and gas career along the way, first as the self-employed owner of Billy’s Magnolia (Mobil) gas station in Victoria during the early 1950s. His long career included working for Magnolia Petroleum, Barnsdall Oil Co., Tenneco, Tighe & Weatherly and Mobil Oil, the job that took him to South Louisiana and second hometown of Morgan City. He retired from Mobil Oil after 23 years of service as a Senior Drilling Supervisor and continued his career by founding Con-Drill Inc., working both domestically and internationally.
Bill played baseball for the Victoria Rosebuds as a hard-hitting, swift center fielder and was honored as an inductee into the South Central Texas Semi-Pro Baseball hall-of-fame in 1995. During the Rosebud years, Bill established cherished and lifelong friendships with those 1940s and 1950s teams, which characterized all his many dedicated and loyal relationships.
Bill was involved with many organizations including being a Master Mason for over 60 years, and was proudest of his 20 years spent on the Board of Directors of the Tri-County EMS in Aransas Pass, Texas, where he lived for the last 24 years with his beloved “JoJo”.
The family wishes to thank his wonderful caregivers, Yolanda Elizaldi, Rosa Pena and Dora Sanchez for the loving and dedicated care provided.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, friends and well-wishers may donate in Bill’s name to the Tri-County EMS, P.O. Box 1378, Ingleside, TX 78362.