Roll Call Tribute

William Shepard "Bill" Koester 

January 10, 1931 - July 16, 2023 

William Shepard Koester passed away peacefully on July 16, 2023. He was 92. William (Bill) was born on January 10, 1931 in Mount Vernon, Ohio to Paul and Jane Koester. He attended Mineral Wells High School and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1952. He married his beloved wife, Sue Deats Koester on June 29, 1953. They were married for 68 years until Sue’s passing in 2021.

After graduating from college, Bill joined the US Air Force and served during the Korean conflict at Travis Air Force Base in California where he earned the rank of captain. Following his years of active service, he remained in the Air Force Reserve for many years.

Bill then went to work for the Pure Oil Co. in Ardmore, Oklahoma as a petroleum landman beginning a long career in the oil and gas industry. He and Sue eventually moved to Houston, Texas where he would work for Transwestern Pipeline Co. and Tenneco Inc. After retiring from corporate life, Bill tried his hand at entrepreneurship and opened a Quik Lube location, which provided a complete range of car care services. In 1990 he sold the business and officially retired.

A lifelong Christian, Bill was a member of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church for 49 years. He was also active in the Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation, the Gulf Coast Arabian Horse Club and the Grantwood Civic Club for many years.

An accomplished golfer, Bill was also a longtime member of Champions Golf Club. He participated in the Matt Musil Charity Golf Tournament in 2005 where his foursome won first place.

The most important things in Bill’s life were Sue and his two daughters, Kathy and Janie. He devoted many years to indulging his daughters’ love of Arabian horses, beginning with the purchase of an exceptional gelding named Sir-Rah. Bill cared for, groomed and transported Sir-Rah to countless horse shows and riding lessons in support of their passion. Their passion soon became his, as Bill was an ardent animal lover, including animals of all kinds.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Sue Koester, son-in-law Neil Kruse, brother Paul Koester and sister-in-law Mary Koester. He is survived by daughter Kathy Hill (Richard), daughter Jane Skatell (Anthony), granddaughter Courtney Hill Khorrami, grandson Jordan Kruse (James Hewlette), granddaughter Claire Wills (Michael), step-granddaughter Kristen LeQuire (Joshua), step-grandson Anthony “Joey” Skatell (Jenna), step-grandson Alexander Skatell (Shannon) and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.