William "Willie" Fritz Pieper

William “Willie” Pieper, 98, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2023, at his home in Kerrville.  

William Fritz Pieper was born on July 16, 1924 in Doss to Henry and Alma Pieper; he was the oldest of 10 children. Willie was drafted into the Army in 1945 during World War II to the Field Artillery and Tank Destroyer Unit. After being honorable discharged in 1946, he returned to Kerrville. Willie married Emilie Rauch on Jan 01, 1950, in Kerrville.

In his early years, Willie started working at 5 points Café as a cook, where he found a love for cooking and baking. He could be found manning several convenience stores in the area holding the titles of clerk all the way to manager: Holiday Corner, D&D #3, Weavers, and Kerr Villa Kountry Store. Willie was a hard worker and very dedicated to his work even working into his 90’s. Willie had a determined nature about him. He would have bake sales to generate extra money for his family; one year he baked over 100 pies to sale.

Willie’s family and friends would describe him as an honest and caring man. But there was another side to him as well, Willie was a true jokester and always had a great one-liner. He had the best sense of humor always striving to make people laugh and smile.  

As a member of the American Legion, he could be found many nights playing Bingo at the local post. He would fund his yearly Vegas trip by picking up cans on the roadside to recycle them for cash. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Emilie; his daughter, Janiet Reither; grandson, Robert W. Reither Jr.; and siblings, Herman, Edward, Henry Jr., Stella, Benny, and Martha.

Willie is survived by his daughter, Tyla Caldwell; sisters, Dorothy Small, Mary Lou Bolton and Robert Pieper; grandchildren, Richard Reither, Elizabeth and Rayna Reither, Jimmy, Victoria, and Cain Caldwell; along with nieces and nephews, all of whom brought him great joy and happiness.

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