William Fred Brinkmann, 86, of Deanville, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 4, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. with immediate family present.
Funeral services/Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Burial will follow at Chriesman Cemetery at 12 p.m.
William Fred Brinkmann was born on December 16, 1937, to Oscar Brinkmann and Annie Lee Mynar in Deanville. He was the first born of five boys.
His parents were sharecroppers, so as soon as he could walk, he was picking cotton and any other crops they grew until his parents settled down in Temple.
Buster delivered milk and had a paper/magazine route and attended Immanuel Lutheran in Temple and then graduated from Temple High School in 1956.
Shortly after high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. During his time of service, he trained in Fort Gordon, Georgia, as a field radio repairman. Although he was stationed at other places while in the Army, Wildwood Army Station in Kenai, Alaska was one of his favorite places. He was there for 1 year, 11 months and 2 days and during this time, Alaska became a state.
On July 8, 1959, he was Honorably discharged from the Army out of Fort Lewis Washington. He would always tell us and anybody who asked exactly how long he served, and he would answer without hesitation, “2 years, 9 months, 13 days and 6 hours.” He amazed everyone because he remembered this exactly to the hour and until the very end of his days.
Exactly one month later August 8, 1959, he married the love of his life, Annie Mae Urbernosky of Caldwell. On January 14, 1961, they had their first child, Curtis Allen.
They moved to Houston to take care of Annie Mae’s family and he began working for the City of Houston as a computer analyst and programmer.
On February 4, 1970, they had their second child, Cynthia Ann. While working and living in Houston, he and Annie Mae bought a weekend house in Deanville, and then later bought and managed a gas station and beer joint for a few years called The Tavern, which they closed in the early 80s.
Buster had many hobbies that he and Annie Mae enjoyed with family, one of their favorites were camping at various parks in Somerville and Belton lake areas for sometimes weeks at a time.
Another of his favorite things to do was play guitars, especially the steel and acoustic. As a matter of fact, he built an amplifier and a guitar during his earlier years. He played music with his Son and many other friends and family. And at one time, he and a few of his friends formed a small band that played around the Deanville/Caldwell area in local bars, dance halls and family parties and reunions.
He loved photography and always took pictures of anything and everything from people to flowers and scenery, spending more time behind the camera instead of in front of the camera.
After working for the City of Houston for 27 years, 4 months and 6 days, he retired on January 3, 1989, and moved back to Deanville.
During his retirement days, he was able to spend time gardening, landscaping, taking pictures, playing guitars and spending time with friends and family karaoke in The Tavern. His most used nicknames given by family and friends were Buck, Buster, Popsie and Pop.
William was preceded in death by his parents, Annie Lee and Oscar; his wife, Annie Mae; and two brothers, Curtis and Ernest.
He is survived by his son Curtis Brinkmann and wife, Sherri, of Conroe; his daughter, Cynthia and husband, Jason Williford, of Deanville; and many other family and friends.
Honoring William as pallbearers are Carl Gammage, Derek Brinkmann, Jonah Baker, Bryan Mikulin, John Laffere and Bennie Jones.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heart of Acara Foundation.
The family wishes to thank Acara Hospice, Heart of Acara Foundation, Peach Creek Assisted Living and the love and care given by its caregivers.
Express condolences at PhillipsandLuckey.com.
PHILLIPS & LUCKEY FUNERAL HOME 404 W. Buck St. Caldwell, Tx 77836 979-567-3232