William C. ‘Bill’ Haverlah
William C. “Bill” Haverlah was living at Walden Court Assisted Living in Llano, Texas, at the time of his death Jan. 5, 2013. He was born June 13, 1931, in DeWees, Texas, in Wilson County to Lee Henry and Anna Alma (Matheaus) Haverlah.
He lived on a farm in DeWees with his grandparents until the age of 6. His grandfather, William D. Haverlah, was a school teacher in Germany and taught Bill in German until the time he moved to Pleasanton, Texas, with his family. At 16, he graduated from Pleasanton High School and, in September 1948, started at Texas A&M College, where he majored in accounting.
On Dec. 1, 1951, Bill married Rose Marie Raska at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Floresville, Texas. He graduated in May 1952 as a 2nd lieutenant and entered the U.S. Air Force as a wing adjutant in Strategic Air Command. Within two months of graduation, he was sent to Misawa, Japan, later returning to Austin-Bergstrom Air Force Base to finish out the remainder of his two-year term.
In 1954, Bill left the Air Force as a 1st lieutenant and entered into the private sector, taking a job with Magnolia Petroleum Co. as an oil scout in Oklahoma City. In 1956, the couple moved to Midland, Texas, where he was a land man for Magnolia Petroleum. In September 1959, their son, Steven C. Haverlah, was born in Midland.
Bill began his association with Clayton Williams in Fort Stockton, Texas, in 1964, working for Clajon Gas Co. He worked for Clajon until 1967, when he moved to a farm he purchased in Floresville. He raised registered Angus cattle, farmed maize and became very involved with cattleman organizations and the Farm Bureau. In 1975, he transitioned to raising Brangus cattle and moved toward more ranching than farming. In 1976, he rejoined Clayton Williams and opened an office for Williams Co. in Floresville, later moving the office to San Antonio. It was during this time that he acquired oil and gas leases across the Austin Chalk formation for Williams Co.
During these years, he formed a friendship with both Jennifer Varnon and Jeff Chapman that endured throughout his life. In 1980, he and Rose Marie purchased a ranch near Gillette, Texas, and moved there while he still worked part time for Williams Co. Bill retired from the oil and gas business and went into full-time ranching once again in 1981.
In September 1983, he purchased a ranch west of Cherokee, Texas, in San Saba County. His son, Steve, married Margaret Ann Hancock in December of the same year and moved to the farm in Floresville, joining Bill in the ranching business. In July 1984, he purchased a second ranch west of Cherokee, and he and his wife moved there in 1986.
He and Rose Marie subsequently divorced in 1994, and, in 1995, he married Peggy Seay. In 1998, they bought the Juan De Dios Ranch in Santa Rosa, N.M., and, soon thereafter, moved out to the new place. Residing there until 2005, he sold the ranch due to health reasons and purchased another ranch in Archer County, Texas. He and Peggy moved to the town of Olney, Texas.
In 2009, Bill and Peggy divorced, and he moved back to the ranch at Cherokee. It was during this time he began attending Cherokee Baptist Church. He shared with his granddaughter, Lindsay.
In 2009, he became a disciple for Jesus. He knew his works and endeavors wouldn’t do it, so he put his hands in Christ’s hands. He went home to be with his Lord with the quiet confidence that comes from the understanding God’s grace covers all.
Bill is survived by son, Steve C. Haverlah, and daughter in-law, Margaret Haverlah of Llano, Texas; granddaughter, Lindsay Alexander, and grandson-in-law, Lee F. Alexander of Castell, Texas; grandson, Wesley C. Haverlah of College Station, Texas; great-granddaughter, Lillie Ann Alexander; brother, Dr. Gene V. Haverlah of Del Rio, Texas; sister, Leanna Komel of Beeville, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is 1:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Cherokee Baptist Church in Cherokee.
Memorials may be made to Cherokee Children’s Home, P.O. Box 195, Cherokee, TX 76832, (325) 622-4201 or (800) 689-3292; and Cherokee Baptist Church, P.O. Box 117, Cherokee, TX 76832, (325) 622-4688.
Cremation arrangements by Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, 145 Texas Ave. in Kingsland,(325) 388-0008. An online guest register may be signed at www.putnamcares.com.