A celebration of life service for William C. “Bill” Jerden, age 63, of Brownwood, will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 20, 2013 at First United Methodist Church of Brownwood with Dr. Don Scroggs officiating, under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home.
Bill was born on December 17, 1949 in Alton, Illinois to Charles and Jane Jerden. He told of many adventures he had with his brothers Rick and Ed as they grew up challenging the patience of their parents.
He loved playing baseball as a child, enjoyed traveling all over the U. S. with his family, and was a Boy Scout. During his time as a Boy Scout, he enjoyed building many winning derby cars with his dad. He enjoyed competing with his younger brothers in this event.
Bill graduated from the University of Missouri-Rolla as a ceramic engineer. During his career as a ceramic engineer, he had several positions with these companies gaining knowledge to his coworkers, family and friends. Those companies include: C. E. Refractories in St. Louis, MO, Royal China, in Sebring, OH, Rival Manufacturing in Pearl, MS, Houston Ceramics in Houston, MS, Eljer Manufacturing in Tupelo, MS, Gerber Manufacturing in Kokomo, IN, American Standard in Thailand, and Kohler in Brownwood TX. Bill had many highlights in his career, especially the time in Thailand, where he was an area supervisor for American Standard’s Asian division. It was there that he supervised the building of a new whiteware sanitation production factory in Rayong, Thailand. He spent those years in Thailand working and traveling the area learning of the culture and having fun with his family.
In February 1974 in a darkened bar in Alton (The Red Garter), he was introduced to a young woman from Kane, Illinois, Leona Shain. She instantly caught his eye. With relentless pursuit, he began to court her and persuaded her to marry him on February 14, 1975. They made their life together for 38 years, renewing their vows at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas on their 35th wedding anniversary, with an Elvis impersonator officiating. During their marriage, two children were born. William “Will” Jerden age 36 of Brownwood and Natalie Jerden Parsley age 33, of Stanton, NE.
Bill loved his family and had many hobbies including traveling, scuba diving, cooking, camping, fishing, Do-it-Yourself home improvements(He never lived in a house he couldn’t make better.), sports, especially the St Louis Cardinals, of which he was a lifetime die-hard fan-GO CARDS!
Bill was a Christian and a lifetime Methodist. Teaching and sharing his faith with many, including the children of the First United Methodist Church in Brownwood, where helped his wife for many years with VBS decorations, support, and planning. In 2012 he was the highlight of VBS wearing his scuba wet suit and leading the opening sessions of Operation Overboard.
Bill was a loving husband and devoted father especially devoted to his wife, tolerating her love of cats even though he was allergic. He especially loved Bryce Parsley, his only grandchild born on March 9, 2011. Bryce, just learning to talk, gave him the name, Pop-Pop. Even though he didn’t say it often, Bill was thrilled when Bryce said “Pop-Pop.”
Bill will be greatly missed by his wife Leona, his children, Will and Natalie, his grandson, Bryce, and son-in-law Jo, father, Charles and two brothers, Rich and Ed; his Christian family at First Methodist Brownwood; work family at Kohler, many in-laws, cousins, The Home Depot in Brownwood, his dog Casey and his wife’s cats, Charlie and Baby Kitty.
He was my Bill, special, and I loved him
-Leona Jerden
The family requests memorials be made to the Children’s program at First United Methodist Church of Brownwood, 2500 11th St, Brownwood TX 76801.
Condolences can be offered to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
