William "Bill" Haverlah '52
February 27, 2013 12:07 PM
(Published in) Pleasanton Express (on) January 16, 2013
William Haverlah
William C. “Bill” Haverlah was living at Walden Court Assisted Living in Llano, Texas at the time of his death on January 5, 2013. He was born June 13, 1931 in DeWees, Wilson County, Texas to Lee Henry Haverlah and Anna Alma (Matheaus) Haverlah.
He lived on the farm in DeWees with his grandparents until the age of six. His grandfather William D. Haverlah was a school teacher in Germany and taught Bill in German up until the time he moved into Pleasanton, Texas with his family. At the age of sixteen
he graduated from Pleasanton High School and in September of 1948 began his college career at Texas A&M College majoring in Accounting.
On December 1, 1951, Bill was married to Rose Marie Raska at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Floresville, Texas. He graduated in May of 1952 as a 2nd Lieutenant and entered into the US Air Force as a Wing Adjutant in Strategic Air Command. Within two months
of graduation he was sent to Misawa, Japan, later returning to Austin-Bergstrom Air Force base to finish out the remainder of his two year term. In 1954 Bill left the Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant and entered into the private sector taking a job with Magnolia
Petroleum Company as an oil scout in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1956 they moved to Midland, Texas where he was a land man for Magnolia Petroleum. In September 1959 their son, Steven C. Haverlah, was born in Midland, Texas.
Bill began his association with Clayton Williams in Fort Stockton, Texas in 1964 working for Clajon Gas Company. He worked for Clajon until 1967 when he moved to a farm he had purchased in Floresville, Texas. He started raising registered Angus cattle, farming
maize and became very involved with Cattleman organizations and the Farm Bureau. In 1975 he transitioned to raising Brangus cattle and moved toward more ranching than farming. In 1976 he rejoined Clayton Williams and opened an office for Williams Company in
Floresville, Texas, later moving the office to San Antonio. It was during this time that he acquired oil and gas leases throughout the Austin Chalk formation for Williams Company. During these years he formed a friendship with both Jennifer Varnon and Jeff
Chapman that endured throughout his life. In 1980 he and Rose Marie purchased a ranch near Gillette and moved to the ranch, while Bill still worked part time for Williams Company. Bill retired from oil and gas business and went into full time ranching once
again in 1981.
In September 1983 he purchased a ranch west of Cherokee, Texas in San Saba County. His son, Steve married Margaret Ann Hancock in December of the same year and moved to the farm in Floresville, Texas joining Bill in the ranching business. In July 1984 he purchased
a second ranch west of Cherokee and he and Rose Marie moved there in 1986. He and Rose Marie subsequently divorced in 1994 and in 1995 he married Peggy Seay. In 1998 they bought the Juan De Dios Ranch in Santa Rosa, New Mexico and soon thereafter moved out
to the new ranch. Residing there until 2005 when he sold the ranch due to health reasons and purchased another ranch in Archer County, Texas. He and Peggy moved to the town of Olney, Texas. In 2009, Bill and Peggy divorced and he moved back to the ranch at
Cherokee. It was during this time he began attending Cherokee Baptist Church. He shared with his granddaughter, Lindsay. In 2009 he became a disciple for Jesus, he knew his works and endeavors wouldn’t do it, so he put his hands in Christ’s hands”. He went
home to be with his Lord with the quiet confidence that comes from the understanding that God’s grace covers all.
Bill is survived by son, Steve C. Haverlah, and daughter in-law Margaret Haverlah of Llano, Texas; granddaughter Lindsay Alexander and grandson-in-law Lee F. Alexander of Castell, Texas; grandson Wesley C. Haverlah of College Station, Texas; great-granddaughter
Lillie Ann Alexander; brother Dr. Gene V. Haverlah of Del Rio, Texas; sister Leanna Komel of Beeville, Texas; and multiple nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services was held on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 1:30 O’clock P.M. at the Cherokee Baptist Church in Cherokee, Texas.
Memorials may be made to Cherokee Children’s Home, P.O. Box 195, Cherokee, Texas 76832 (325) 622-4201 or (800) 689-3292, and the Cherokee Baptist Church, PO Box 117 Cherokee, TX 76832. (325) 622- 4688.
Cremation arrangements by Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, 145 Texas Avenue, Kingsland, Texas 78639. (325)388-0008. www.Putnam- Cares.com.