Roll Call Tribute

William R. "Corky" Pence
June 23, 1932 - September 18, 2021

William R. "Corky" Pence, age 89, of Houston, passed away September 18, 2021. He was born June 23, 1932 in Brady, Texas to William R. Pence Sr. and Sadie Davis Pence. He graduated in 1949 from Brady High School and earned a degree in Agriculture Education from Texas A&M College, Class of '55. He married the former Bonna Jean Nance, on September 7, 1957 in Brady and lived in Virginia and New Orleans while serving in active duty with the U S Army. He continued in the Army Reserves after settling in Houston in 1962 and retired as a Lt. Col. after 18 years of service.

Corky earned a MEd in 1965 and EdD in 1976 from the University of Houston. He was a teacher and principal in the Spring Branch area and then served as an Asst Superintendent for the Cy-Fair ISD for 24 years. Upon retirement, he became involved as a volunteer with the Texas Retired Teachers Association, serving in local, District and State leadership positions and was awarded the E.L. Galyean Service Award by TRTA in 2018. He offered to help with his son's baseball team in 1966 which began a volunteer career with the Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association for more than 20 years, serving as a baseball and football coach, commissioner, Board Member and President. The sports field complex at Landrum Junior High was named the "W.R. "Corky" Pence Field" in his honor in 1973. He was a faithful member of the Memorial Church of Christ for almost 60 years, serving as a deacon for many decades.

He is survived by son Alan Pence (Kathy) of Houston, daughters Cheryl Pence Bartlett '80 (Steve '80) of Nacogdoches, Nancy Pence of Houston and Karen Pence Shumate '89 (Scott '88) of Bullard; eleven grandchildren, Sarah Bartlett Jones (Andrew) and Sam Bartlett (Jenny) of Nacogdoches, Stephanie Bartlett Ryon '06 (Brent '05) and Rachel Shumate '23 of College Station, Alex Pence '11, Emily Pence Harding '13 (Tucker '18) , Erin Pence Freeman '14 (Shawn '11), Michelle Tesarek Breen (James) and Allison Tesarek Dingle '13 (Jacob), all of Houston, Daniel Shumate '19 (Ashley '21) of Fort Worth and Katy Shumate Tomlin '16 (Billy '17) of Tyler; and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial services are pending at this time.

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