Roll Call Tribute

Blaine Hal Bull 

April 12, 1957 - April 19, 2025 

Blaine Hal Bull, 68, of Austin, TX, passed away peacefully, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by family on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from cancer.

He was born April 12, 1957, in Bainbridge, Maryland, while his father was serving in the US Navy. He grew up in Houston, Texas, where he attended Westbury High School. He attended Texas Tech University and was a walk on for the Red Raiders football team. After his Freshman year, he transferred to Texas A&M University to be closer to family.

While attending the LBJ School of Public Affairs he met his wife, Myra. They met & were married within a year and a half and were married for 42 years. They have 3 children who were his pride & joy. He participated in all their activities and was their biggest cheerleader. He loved his family and as a family they loved to travel, go to the beach & be with their extended family.

Blaine was a founding partner of Vianovo and managed the firm for 18 years. Prior to forming Vianovo in 2005, he was a founding officer and shareowner of Austin-based Public Strategies, Inc. During his 13 years as a managing director with Public Strategies, Blaine oversaw dozens of successful corporate campaigns. As head of the national public affairs division, he supervised more than 125 professionals and managed ten offices nationwide. During his tenure at Public Strategies, Blaine spent four years in-house with SBC Communications, where he successfully coordinated two major mergers: Pacific Telesis and Ameritech.

Previously, Blaine worked for former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen managing his successful 1988 re-election campaign and then in Washington, D.C. serving as his legislative director. Blaine earned his master's degree at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin and his bachelor's degree at Texas A&M University (Whoop!).

Blaine is preceded by father Stanley Dempsey “DB” Bull and his sister Kelly Murley. He is survived by his loving wife, Myra Tucker Bull of Austin, TX; his mother Sheila Phillips of Sugar Land, TX; his stepmother Ruth Frisching of Austin, TX; his sons Christopher Bull and wife, Marissa Abbott of Washington D.C.; Matthew Bull and wife Lindsay Taranto of Austin, TX; his daughter Taylor Bull Markwardt and husband Jason Markwardt of Austin, TX; his two grandchildren Hayden & Rylan Markwardt; and his brother Chris Bull and wife Sally Bull of Southern California. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Blaine’s life will be celebrated with a service on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 11:30 am at St. Austin’s Catholic Church followed by a reception.

A very special thank you to Hospice Austin, MD Anderson & Thomas Jefferson Hospital for your incredible support.