(September 10, 1929 – March 17, 2011)
Willis Taylor “Buddy” Rountree, age 81, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 12:28 p.m., after a courageous battle with cancer. Buddy was born on September 10, 1929, in Indian Creek, Texas, to Millard and Mary Bertha (Nichols) Rountree. He worked for the Railroad in Brownwood for several years before moving to Texas City to work for Amoco Oil Company. He was a resident of Mills County for 50 years, where he was a rancher, auctioneer, and retired from the Texas Department of Agriculture as a Livestock Market Reporter in 1996. He was well known for his expertise with livestock, especially cattle. He was a man of his word; a man of strength and character. On more than one occasion he recited to his children and grandchildren “all a man has is his good name.” His love for his family was second to none. He enjoyed fishing and sitting on his back porch watching baby calves run and play. As a graduate of Blanket High School, he was an accomplished athlete, especially in track and football. He had a special bond with the men of his First Baptist Church Sunday School Class in Goldthwaite, known as “Just for Sinners.”
Buddy was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. He is survived by his wife, high school sweetheart and dancing partner of 64 years, Betty Jo (Stanley) Rountree; brother, Robert and his wife, June; son, Jerry and his wife Linda; son, Bobby and his wife Jana; grandchildren, Brady Rountree and his wife Brandi; Ryan Rountree and his wife Emily; Cory Rountree and his wife Rachel; Mika (Rountree) Russell and her husband Talton; six great-grand children, Taylor, Logyn, Luke, Sam, Will, and Finn and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2011, at the Stacey Wilkins Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at the Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2011 at the Stacey Wilkins Funeral Home Chapel.
