Kirsch
Wilburn “Wil” Gene Kirsch, 82, of La Grange, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Wil was born in La Grange on March 10, 1940, the son of the late Joe O.C. Kirsch and Lydia (Reising) Kirsch. He married the love of his life, Carol Futschik, on Aug. 21, 1960, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of La Grange. They were blessed with three children: Bruce, Gary, and Laurie. Wil was active in scouting with the boys as Webelo leader and later as an assistant Scout Master to Troop #460 in Oak Hill. He was an Auto Body Technician for many years. In 1983, Wil proudly opened his own business, Bastop Body and Paint of Bastrop and successfully ran his business for twentytwo years. After retirement, Wil and Carol moved to La Grange to settle into the peacefulness of country living on the family farm where Wil remained until his death. Wil and Carol enjoyed taking time out to travel in their motorhome and felt very fortunate to visit almost all fifty states! Wil also enjoyed participating in monthly craft shows in both Canton and Wimberley, where he made and sold children’s name puzzles, bird houses, and other handmade items.
Berry
A private, family service for Richard Berry will be scheduled for a later date. Richard Morris Berry, 87, passed away on Septm 19, 2022 in La Grange. He was born Aug. 4, 1935 in Dallas to Robert William Berry and Greta Lucy Morris Berry. He attended North Texas University where he met the love of his life, Gwen Millar Berry and they married on Sept. 12, 1958. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree and went on to earn his law degree (Doctorate of Jurisprudence) at SMU in 1963. Richard had a lifelong career as an attorney, practicing privately as well as serving city and county governments, and concluded his career serving as a municipal judge for Fayetteville and Round Top. After retirement, Richard loved to travel with his wife as well as being at their home in the country. His passion for the country life included gardening, fishing and feeding wild animals on their land in Fayetteville. He was always fond of animals and the family had many pets, including dogs (dachshunds), cats, gerbils, snakes, turtles and many more. Richard was a very involved family man and he loved his wife, children and grandchildren dearly. Richard will be missed by many. Richard is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gwen; son, Mark Berry and wife Carina of Houston; daughter, Megan Berry Barlow and husband Doug of Weeping Water, Nebraska; grandchildren, Allyson Berry and Zachary Morris Berry; and two nieces, Amy Packer and Yvonne Berry. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lucy Berry and brother, David Berry.
Bayer
Dale “Scotty” Bayer (57), a lifelong resident of Houston, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 14, 2022. Scotty is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Terry and Paul Gilbert, two nephews; Matthew Gilbert and wife Deana, Jason Gilbert and wife Laura, all of Houston, and one niece Londan Bayer of Round Top. Also survived by five great nephews; Andrew, Jadon and Jaxon Gilbert, Wade and Landon Gaskins, and two great nieces, Greylyn and Kaehler Gaskins. Preceding Scotty in death are his grandparents, Reginald and Alice Hackemack; parents, Virgil and Joyce Bayer and brother Darrell Bayer. Scotty also had many dear lifelong friends. He was a graduate of Waltrip High School and grew up playing ball at the Oak’s Dad’s Club. Through his outgoing personality and love for people, Scotty never met a stranger. As the youngest of three siblings, Scotty valued friendships and held many people close to his heart until his passing. Scotty was fond of sports, especially the Astros, and enjoyed fishing and being outdoors with friends and family. His cheerful carefree nature was contagious, always having a smile and keeping life simple. He will truly be missed. A graveside service was held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 at Nassau Cemetery (1700 Nassau Road, Round Top, Texas 78954). Presiding over the service was Pastor David Tinker of Carmine.
Noak
William “Bill” G. Noak, 90, of Round Top, passed away on Aug. 23, 2022, at Dell Seton Hospital in Austin. The fifth of six children, William was born in Round Top on Feb. 22, 1932, the son of the late Willie Noak and Irene (Giese) Noak. Bill was raised in a hard-working farming family, raised by loving parents that served their community, country and church. Their greatest legacy was the values by which they lived and passed to their children. Bill was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and also confirmed there in March 27, 1947 in Round Top. Bill’s love for baseball, especially the New York Yankees, began as early as he could remember. His loyal devotion as a Yankee fan was evident to everyone he met. In his adult years, he was rarely ever seen without the famous navy blue baseball cap with the embroidered NY logo letters up front and center! It became Bill’s trademark! Bill’s childhood dream was to see Yankee Stadium and watch a homeYankees game in person. After he started working at Shell Oil Company, he booked a flight to New York City and his lifelong dream came true! Bill told this story to many, with such pride! Bill was a good student and graduated from Round Top-Carmine High School. He had dreams of continuing his education, and he made that dream come true also. William’s first trip to college was on the back of a flatbed milk truck! He received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran College in 1954. His major was Biology and he was a pitcher for the TLU Bulldogs baseball team. Bill was voted King of The Court, (equivalent of Homecoming King) and remained good friends with many of his college classmates up until his passing. Bill cherished his college years and experiences, including the summers when he earned money to pay for college. Bill and another Round Top buddy with a car, decided to drive up to the North West to work on farms harvesting crops or on cattle farms. Summer of 1951, he was in Lewiston, Idaho at a cattle auction standing by the help wanted area and Walter Faerber asked Bill if he knew how to drive a truck in harvest? He replied, “Yes” and his 71year relationship with this family began! He would haul 200 bushels of crop on each load and according to Wally Dahmen and his Grandpa, Walter Faerber said, “He was the best truck driver we ever had. In all these years, we have never had better.” Bill bucked hay bales and chased cattle with us in Orofino, Idaho, for Walter’s son, Dan Dahmen, and on their farm in Uniontown, Washington where they raised cattle, grew wheat, barley and dry peas. Wally was 9 years old when he met Bill and remembers the two Texas songs he taught him. All of Wally’s kids and grandkids sing those songs often, in honor of Bill, known as “The man from Texas”! Dan Dahmen always said, “Bill was the hardest working man he had ever worked alongside.” And Dan’s wife was aYankee fan and Bill would play baseball with her kids out in the pasture, even though Wally loved the Dodgers, so they had many conversations about which team was better. Wally said Bill was loved by his whole family. Wally wishes he could have attended his Celebration of Life Memorial but “has a short time to plant the seeds in the ground but Bill would forgive him, as he was as much a farmer as he is.”
