William (Billy) Edward Gass

William (Billy) Edward Gass, 76, passed away on October 24, 2024, at his home in Comfort, Texas, surrounded by family. He was born February 4, 1948, in Lamesa, Texas, to Gordon (Pappy) and Bobby Jane (Mammy) Gass. Billy grew up in West Texas. His family moved frequently depending on where Pappy’s next painting job was located, but they eventually settled in Slaton, Texas. He was a proud Slaton Tiger, excelling in sports and graduating in 1966. After high school, he traveled north to Canyon, Texas, to attend West Texas State University to continue his education, but most importantly, to play football. He played all four years of his college career as a WT Buffalo. He worked long nights in the boiler room to afford his education. He knew the value of this and was determined to achieve this goal.

 After college, racing motorcycles, and trying his hand at coaching and teaching, he made his way down to the Hill Country and stayed for the remainder of his life. He lived with his aunt and uncle and was given the opportunity to start a career. Billy went to work for San Antonio State Hospital and would go on to work at the Kerrville State Hospital as a medical records coordinator and rehab specialist for 40 years. He established a good life in Comfort, Texas. As fate would have it, a young woman caught his eye while he was sitting at Twin Gables one afternoon. That chance meeting became a date for the 4th of July dance and a lifelong partner for him. Billy married Lynette Evon Pressler on June 8, 1974, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Comfort, Texas. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a few months ago.  And while it was not a grand shindig, as theirs was at the Waring Hall on their wedding day, it was shared by their children and grandchildren in their home, with one last cherished dance for the two of them.

Billy and Lynette had two children, William (BJ) Edward Gass Jr. of San Angelo, Texas, and Amy Leigh Stehling, wife of Jacob Thomas Stehling of Sisterdale, Texas. There were very few games and events they missed. It may have been expressed that cheerleading was a sport just like football, so all of those games were made after that. Some days were harder than others, as Billy had a rough exterior regarding expectations. However, the true love he had for his wife and children surfaced when it needed to.

Billy and Lynette’s names quickly changed to Manky and Nana after the births of five grandchildren: Kaydence Marie Stehling (16), Wyatt Edward Gass (15), Dax Thomas Stehling (15), Lucy Louise Stehling (11) and Olivia Rose Stehling (7).

For years, there wasn’t anything Billy couldn’t do. He loved to fish on the Guadalupe River, at Medina Lake, Padre Island, and wherever there was a fishable body of water. He knew where all of the “honey holes” were and talked about them often. He enjoyed hunting on the Pressler Ranch. Billy had a knack for reloading shells and looked forward to dove and deer season each year. In his later years, he appreciated wildlife from afar. He would ensure they were fed well and spent time sitting and watching. He knew each deer, and you best believe he would tell you which ones you could hunt and which to leave alone!

His love for sports poured over to his children and grandchildren. He was a baseball coach for many years. Before he began that adventure, he was a member of the Pearl Baseball Team. Oh, the stories he shared. Once those days ended, he played co-ed softball with a league, but his true passion was youth sports. His competitive nature was evident on more than one occasion.

While sports played a big role in his life, the livestock industry became an even bigger part of it. Raising pigs started with a Duroc gilt named Ellen from the Schmidts, what started as a small project eventually turned into a 20-plus sow operation for over 25 years. Raising Durocs was a true passion. Countless yellow notebook tablets full of notes and information to help for the next show season graced his living room. At times, there were 16 pigs brought to a show. His competitive nature bled over to the stock show world. This passion helped pave the way for numerous 4-H and FFA members across Texas. He wasn’t above giving a kid a show pig without cost just to give them a chance and the experience of showing and all that went with it. He would still have pigs in the barn today, but life had other plans for Billy.

Going dancing, golfing, playing pool, bowling, and being the first to rent a new-release movie were a few of his favorite pastimes. But his pride and joy were his grandchildren. From stock shows to football games to softball and cheer, to jujitsu and everything in between, Manky was there when he could be. He even had his days as a babysitter for Kaydence for the first year or so of her life. Manky was not only their cheerleader but “everyone’s cheerleader.” He was there to cheer on, encourage, and argue with the refs. His whistle and voice could echo any stadium, even at the last football game he attended.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Kathey Jane Gass Diggs, in-laws Leroy and Lorraine Pressler and brother-in-law David Duewall.

He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren; sisters Gorla Gass, JaNette Gass and Frana Bartley (Ron); sisters-in-law Lois Duewall and Lou Caesar (Blake); brothers-in-law Leslie Pressler (Lori) and Lee Pressler; nieces Jill Barnwell (Alan), Brittany Noble (Jess) and Lindsey Pressler; and nephews Donovan Dunn, Stuart Bartley (Lindsey), Kristopher Pressler (Tiffany), Lane Bartley (Branda), Kyle Pressler (Erin), Craig Haffner, Lane Pressler (Bailey), Stephen Duewall, James Duewall and Garrett Pressler and numerous greats.

Services will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Comfort, Texas. There will be a family visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the service will be at 11 a.m., with a gathering to follow at the Lutheran Fellowship Hall. The family will have a private ceremony for Manky later at the ranch.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation to Kerrville EMS or Kendall Co. Jr. Livestock Show Association.

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