William James “Bill” Brient
1928-2016
William James “Bill” Brient passed away Saturday, March 26.
He was born March 16, 1928 to Charles H. Brient and Dannie Jordan Brient.
Bill was raised on the family ranch on Privilege Creek near Bandera and attended schools in Bandera schools until the family relocated to the Dilley area.
While there, Bill met the love of his life, Virginia “Ginny” Dewoody. After marrying on June 10, 1950, the couple lived in the Highland Hills area of San Antonio where they raised their children, Robert Daniel “Bob” Brient, James Allen “Jim” Brient and Brenda Brient Pope.
Bill was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
He served in the United States Air Force and the Air Force Reserves as a C-119 engineer and crew chief. He also worked for the Department of Defense at Kelly Air Force Base. He retired from the Department of Defense as an Escape Systems Specialist, managing ejection seats on bombers, attack planes and fighter jets.
In 1973, Bill and Ginny purchased land in Bandera and spent their weekends and vacations building the home they moved into in June 1975.
Once in Bandera, Bill quickly became involved in his childhood church, Bandera United Methodist Church, where he served in many leadership roles. After retiring in March 1983, Bill became a fixture at the church, serving on committees and boards and acting as the “fix it” man.
In that capacity, Bill continued his family legacy of carpentry, which, along with hunting, fishing and camping, was a favorite pastime.
After Bill’s retirement, he and Ginny were fortunate to have many years traveling together and camping in their beloved travel trailer. Along with a group of Methodist volunteers, they made several trips to disaster areas helping people rebuild their lives and their homes.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ginny; sons, Bob Brient and his wife, Paulette, and Jim Brient and his wife, Kathy; daughter Brenda Pope and her husband, Mark; sister Ellen L. Brient, grandchildren – to whom he was affectionately known as “Pa” – Jordan Gibennus, Jared Brient, Whitney Ford, Evan Brient, Alyssa Pope and Alec Pope; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill was predeceased by his parents; sister Annette Stark; brothers, Charles H. Brient Jr. and Robert Brient; and his beloved mother-in-law, Kathryn Dewoody.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Friday, April 1, at Bandera United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the to Bandera United
Methodist Church, the Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of choice.
Evalyn Juanita Poole
1920-2016
Evalyn Juanita Poole, 95, of Bandera, passed away in her home Thursday, March 31. Surrounded by loved ones in her final moments, she now rests with her Savior Jesus Christ.
Evalyn was born to Roy and Thelma Jones on July 27,1920, in Corpus Christi. She married
William Oliver “Bill” Poole and the couple celebrated 61 years of marriage.
After graduating from Roy Miller High School, Evalyn attended Corpus Christi Business School.
She was involved in community volunteer work, including March of Dimes and PTA. An avid quilter, knitter and sewer, Evalyn loved working with her hands.
She was a lifelong devoted Christian woman who formerly attended the Church of Christ in Alice and was a current member of Camp Bandina Church of Christ. Evalyn and her late husband contributed of their time and resources to assist in the development of Camp Bandina, which became very special to them both.
Evalyn is survived by her daughters, Cyndy Zachry and her husband, Rowan; Prissy Urban; and Patty Foster and her husband, Wade; son-in-law Bobby Aycock, 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Evalyn was predeceased by her husband, son Billy Poole, daughter George Ann Aycock and sister Roy Desi Berry.
A celebration honoring Evalyn’s life was held Saturday, April 2, at Grimes Funeral Chapel in Bandera. Evalyn’s family invites everyone to join them in remembering the life of this loving wife, caring mother and grandmother and dedicated servant of God.
“This family will go on. We will live; we will love; we will stand together – beyond today – across the years forever.” Evalyn Poole
Veronica Peysen Nichols
1926-2016
Surrounded by her family, Veronica Peysen Nichols of Bandera passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 30.
She was born in Scotland, Texas, on Sept. 12, 1926, to John and Elizabeth Peysen. Vera attended school in Scotland.
She married
Donald O. “Nick” Nichols on July 14, 1952, in Archer County. After their marriage, she and Nick traveled the world with United States Air Force, serving this great country. During Nick’s military service, they lived in Texas, Nebraska, Morocco, South Dakota, Philippines and Indiana.
For over 25 years, Vera worked as a pharmacy technician at St. Joseph Hospital. After the couple retired, they searched throughout the state for their final home before choosing Bandera – the Cowboy Capital of the World. Both Vera and Nick loved the people of Bandera and the Texas Hill Country.
A devout Catholic and vital member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bandera, Vera was active in the St. Vincent DePaul Society with her good friends, Mary
Smith and Olga Bolduck She also participated in the Altar Society and observed a holy hour with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration at St. Stanislaus at 6 am, every Thursday morning.
Vera loved and was loved by many wonderful parishioners and was blessed to have been served by Father Pat, Father Stan, Father John and Deacon Bobby over the last 22 years.
Vera is survived by her husband; daughter Karen Folkerts and her husband, Tom; son Larry “Will” Nichols and his wife, Connie; grandchildren, Nichelle Renk and her husband, Travis; Jessica Higgins and her husband, Garth; Amy Zimney and her husband, Eric; Sara Chiabai and her husband, Jay; Veronica Catherine Macbeth and her husband, Ryan; Jacob Folkerts and his wife, Kimberly; and Clayton Folkerts; and great-grandchildren, Cassidy Folkerts, Jackson Macbeth, Phoenix Macbeth, Cole Higgins, Charlotte Renk, Ethan Chiabai, Wesley Macbeth and Luke Higgins – all for whom she prayed for daily.
Vera was predeceased by her 13 brothers and sisters.
A funeral service was held at Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church Monday, April 4, with Deacon Peter Gutierrez presiding. Interment followed at the Saint Stanislaus Catholic cemetery.
Pallbearers were Charles Grant, John Presley, Bobby McMillan, Tom Folkerts, Jacob Folkerts and Larry “Will” Nichols.
The Nichols family extends their thanks and gratitude to all healthcare professionals who provided excellent care to Vera in her last days, including the doctors, nurses, and technicians of Peterson Regional Medical and the wonderfully caring Peterson Hospice professionals.
Our wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend and parishioner served us in life. May we serve our family and friends as faithfully as she did us.
Mark Andrew Peterson
1962-2016
Mark Andrew Peterson, 53, died on March 29, in San Antonio.
He was born in Kerrville on Nov. 2, 1962, to Glen J. and Laverne Hodges Peterson.
Mark graduated from Boerne High School in 1980 and received a degree in geography from Southwest Texas State University (Texas State) in 1998.
Mark became a plumber in 1994 and rose through the ranks to become the local president of UAPP 142. He also taught for many years in the apprentice program.
Mark was an active church and choir member at the Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church.
A former all Southwest Conference Rugby Player for Southwest Texas, he was a loving husband, father, son and brother, and friend to all who knew him.
Mark is survived by his son, Sam Peterson; stepson Eric Carter and his wife, Kim; mother Laverne H. Peterson; and brother Jim Peterson, and his wife, Suzi, and the couple’s children, Emily and Lilia.
He was predeceased by his wife, Marty, on Sept. 10, 2014.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, April 9, at Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
