Willy Ray “Bill” Blundell

Willy Ray “Bill” Blundell, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, September, 7, 2023 at the age of 88. Willy was born March 7, 1935 at the family home in the rural area of Thompsonville to Leslie Ervin Blundell and Florinda Bishop Blundell.

Most of his life was spent in Gonzales County. As a young boy he liked to work and make his own money. He worked for neighbors harvesting tomatoes, corn, watermelon, cantaloupe, and other vegetables. One of his fondest memories was working cattle with his dad. A neighbor gave him a colt that he named “Trigger”. He and that horse spent many hours helping his dad work cattle.

He attended elementary school in Harwood, and later went to Waelder High School where he graduated in 1953. During his high school years, he worked cattle with his older brothers. In 1954 he married his high school sweetheart, Clara Juanita “Nita” Harris. They had three lovely daughters, Carolyn, Connie and Phyllis, and an infant son, Kenneth Wade who was stillborn, so Bill never got to raise a boy.

After graduation he took a job as ranch foreman, and they moved to Muldoon. This job lasted three years as the ranch was sold. He then took a truck driving job with Alamo Fuel. He was persuaded to go into the charcoal business with 1/3 interest located at Cistern. After several months he sold his home and interest and moved to Waelder. He became a construction partner with Nick Miller. They spent about 20 years building and repairing homes. In 1966 he went into the turkey business. He was raising cattle and doing custom hay hauling adding several high school boys to his team. Several of these boys told him how influential he had been in their lives. He loved all his help and treated them like they were his own children.

In the mid 80’s he took a job as foreman of a loading crew with Plantation Foods. He also was managing his turkey business and taking care of the ranch and cattle. Willy was a “Jack of all Trades” and could do anything. His family never had to worry about finances. He always made sure they had what they needed; he was a great provider. 

While living in Waelder he was very active in the community. He served as trustee for the Waelder School Board for 8 years and was an active volunteer fireman. In September of 1969, the family moved to Gonzales. He continued doing carpenter work as well as raising turkeys and cattle with the help of his family. After 30 years his turkey contract was dropped, but Willy was ready to retire. However, he remained very active with the ranch.

Willy was a member of the First Methodist Church in Gonzales, past member of the Elks Lodge and Fire Department. He loved to play dominoes, and seldom missed the Monday Night Church Group. He and Juanita were members of the 50-year supper club until it disbanded. They traveled for 12 years with the XYZ travel group to numerous states and made many friends along the way.

Willy loved the ranch and cattle and kept it well maintained. He wore out two bulldozers clearing land and planting grass on all but 40 acres. He left that for his beloved grandsons to hunt deer, hogs, and turkeys.

Willy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was always willing to help his neighbors with whatever they needed done. He was so proud of his girls. They were always taught to do their best with work, family, and community. He stayed busy on the ranch caring for the cattle, mowing weeds, building fences, and burning brush. He stayed active on the ranch until age 85. He had decided it was more than he could handle, so he leased all but 100 acres. This was enough to keep him busy without over-whelming himself with maintenance. At 86 he fell and fractured a hip forcing him to retire. He still enjoyed trips to the ranch and offering his advice.

Willy is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, daughters, Carolyn Cain (Morgan Mills) of Gonzales, Phyllis Snoga (Glenn) of Seguin, grandchildren, Renee Pizario (Alex) of Gonzales, Wendy O’Rear (Jack) of Frisco, Kristin Matias (David) of Gonzales, Ben Snoga (Sara) of New Braunfels, Blaine Snoga (Tatum) of Seguin, and Dustin Logan, 5 great-grandchildren, 2 great-greatgrandchildren, his beloved cat Tootles, and numerous nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, daughter, Connie Riley, brothers, Nolan and Leslie Nile, sister, Hazel Bean and nephew, Ray Bean.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm Sunday, September 10, 2023 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10 am Monday, September 11, 2023 in the First Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Thompsonville Cemetery. Pallbearers: Ben and Blain Snoga, Glen, Wayne and Garland Blundell and Cody Kincaid. Honorary pallbearers: Paul Coffin, Garland Tenberg, Jene Dreyer, Ramie Harris, Bill DeBerry, Herb Karnau, Felepe Mendez, and members of the Methodist Domino Club. Memorials may be made to the First Methodist Church of Gonzales, Thompsonville Cemetery Association, or charity of one’s choice. Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.