William "Bill" Karel, Jr.

We are sad to announce the passing of Bill Karel, Jr. "Billy" of Palacios, Texas.  He died on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the age of 66.  He  passed away suddenly at home from heart disease. Billy was born on Thursday, May 17, 1956 to parents, Carrie J. Dructor and Bill Karel, Sr. in Austin, Texas.  After graduating from Alief High School in Houston, Texas in 1974, Bill went to College Station, Texas to attend Texas A&M University.  He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1978.  Bill then went to the University of Florida in Gainsville, Florida for about a year and then returned to Texas A&M where he received his Master of Science Degree in 1994.

Bill is survived by his mother, Carrie Dructor (Jack), his sisters, Cindy Stubblefield (David), Vikki Karel, and his brothers Scott Karel and Wade Karel (JoAnn), his nephew Sam Stubblefield (Celeste), niece Sara Ivey (Brian), nephews Landon and Dakota Karel and other family members.  Bill is preceded in death by his father, Bill Karel, Sr.

Bill started working for Texas Parks and Wildlife Fisheries Department in 1993 as a fisheries technician.  He ended his career after working for Texas Parks and Wildlife for almost 25 years as a Biologist in August of 2018.

After retiring, Bill spent much of his time gardening, which he became quite good at.  He loved canning and preserving the fruits and vegetables he grew.  Salsas and jams were some of his favorites.  He loved even more sharing these items with his family and friends.  Bill also enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family - from the duck blind to the deer blind, from the back lakes and bays to the blue water off shore.  He loved to cook and had a good time making sausage with his neighbors in Cape Carancahua.

Bill was an avid reader.  He was often researching topics of interest, of which there were many, and was an unstoppable conversationalist.  He loved all sports and was a devoted Aggie supporter and closet Longhorn supporter.  He loved watching and attending his nephews' and niece's sporting events.  Bill will be missed greatly and forever remembered as a good son, brother, uncle and friend to everyone he met.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life Service at Slavik Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen Street, Edna, Texas, 77957, on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 2:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contribution be made to CCA Texas.  In Bill's memory, donations may be made to: CCA Texas, 6919 Portwest Dr., Suite 100, Houston, TX 77024, and indicate: 1) who the donation is in memory of or honor of, 2) the donor's (your) name and address, and, 3) the name and address of who should be notified of the  contribution (family member). or https://ccatexas.org.donate.

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