Roll Call Tribute

William Lewis "Bill" Strait
January 27, 1926 - November 6, 2021

William Lewis "Bill" Strait, 95, of Beaumont, died Saturday, November 6, 2021. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 27, 1926. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He attended Texas A&M where he received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1949.

Upon graduation, he worked for the Texas Highway Department, in Pharr, Texas.

In 1959, he went to work for Texaco Research in Port Arthur, being responsible for the construction of the new facilities, retiring in 1984.

He met and married June Guilbeau of Opelousas, Louisiana, in 1952. They had three children: Byron (B.D.) Strait of Sour Lake, Billie Driscoll of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Beverly Aulbaugh of Beaumont; seven grandchildren (including Carly '12 and Carter '15); and seven great-grandchildren.

He was a diver on the swim team at Texas A&M and coached the Golden Triangle Swim Team for fourteen years.

He was a registered professional engineer, a licensed land surveyor in Texas, and a life member of the Texas and National Society of Professional Engineers.

He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church, and taught Sunday School continuously for 50 years. He ushered with his son and grandson and headed up a teller team. He served as Administrative Board chairman, and later was recording secretary for nine years. He was active with the Trinity Army, a group of retired men who build two Habitat Houses for Humanity, countless wheelchair ramps, and other needed and repairs and improvements. He and they also worked at Some Other Place, the Wesley Foundation at Lamar University, and regularly at the church and both parsonages.

A memorial service for Mr. Strait will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 13, 2021, at Trinity Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 5247, Beaumont, Texas 77726.

Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com.