William Paul "Bill" Hetzel passed away Saturday, January 8, 2005 at his home after a lengthy illness.Services will be held Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel 3800 N Big Spring St., with Revs. Richard Edwards and Larry Bailey of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, officating. Entombment will follow at the Eternal Light Mausoleum at Resthaven Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Nalley Pickle & Welch Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 10.He was born March 10, 1924 in Guthrie, OK to John and Bertha Hetzel.Bill was the youngest of seven children (five sons and two daughters) born to John and Bertha Hetzel. All five sons served in various branches of the armed services in WW II. The oldest son, Karl, was the only one to lose his life during serviceHe joined the United States Army in December 1942 and served with the Third U.S. Army in the European Theater from March 1944 to December 1945.After serving in the armed forces, he attended and graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1952 with a BS degree in geology. After his graduation he was employed by Cities Service Oil Company as a geologist and worked in Montana, Wyoming, The Republic of Turkey, Dhofar, Arabia, Liberal, Kansas, Amarillo, and Midland. In addition to twenty-five years with Cities Service Oil, he worked also for Texas Pacific, Fina and Coquina Oil Companies.Bill married Norma Jean Bell in 1957 and to this union were born two sons, Allan and Stephen.He was an avid reader and was quite knowledgeable about geography, history, movie classics and music. He was a good photographer and passed this interest on to his son, Allan.Bill was the ultimate "family man." His wife, Norma, and his sons Allan and Stephen were the central focus of his life. The family holds cherished memories of family activities: vacations, camping trips, motorcycle events, Boy Scouts, Indian Guides, hunting and fishing and building their vacation home in Ruidoso, NM.He was a member of AAPG, West Texas Geological Society, St. Lukes United Methodist Church and the Santa Rita Club of the Petroleum Museum. After retirement, he worked as a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program and the Santa Rita Club.He is survived by his wife, Norma, and her twin sisters, Paula Beshears and Vonna Wood, his son Allan and wife Kenley of Littleton, CO; his son Stephen of Austin; one brother, John and wife Iva of San Francisco; two nieces, Sandra Brazil and husband Richard, and Holly Trotta and husband, Dave; two nephews Paul Wood and wife, Wendy and Bradley Beshears; a great niece Melissa Shaw and husband Bart in addition to several other great nieces, children of his deceased nephew, Karl Snipes. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and three brothers.The family expresses deep appreciation for the care given him by Dr. Steven Brown, Dr. P. K. Patel, Dr. Daniel Khouri and all the wonderful, caring staff of the Hospice of Midland. Appreciation is also given to Reverend Richard Edwards and Reverend Larry Bailey of St. Luke's United Methodist Church and his many friends who supported the family during his long battle with emphysema and heart disease.Memorials may be made to Hospice of Midland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702, St. Luke's United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, 3011 W. Kansas, Midland, TX 79701 or the Santa Rita Club of the Petroleum Museum,1500 Interstate 20 W, Midland, TX 79701Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. On line condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com,
