This obituary was obviously written by his daughter Amy. She adds a moving tribute to her dad at the end.
William David Batts, 89, died peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2014, surrounded by family. Son of Bernard and Beulah Batts Sr., he was born on November 8, 1924 on the family farm south of Ballinger. He attended Dry Ridge School through the 7th grade and graduated from Ballinger High School in 1946. He served as president of the senior class and was a member of the band, football, and track teams. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Air Corps. He trained to be a pilot. He finished his training just as World War II ended. After the service he enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in June 1950.
He came back to Ballinger to farm with his Dad. He farmed about 600 acres until 1978. During that time he served on the board of directors of the Ballinger Co-op Gin and Elevator. His civic activities included a term as president of the Ballinger Jaycees. On February 10, 1962 he married Irene Piel. In 1968 they had a daughter named Amy. In addition to farming he sold real estate.
David cultivated many friendships around the state in his work with Petroleum Information/Dwight LLC. He was the southern area manager of map data accumulation. His duties included constructing county ownership maps and updating oil and gas lease information of those maps. Finding retirement didn’t suit him, he worked for the Boll Weevil Eradication Program and Dankworth Packing Company. David was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ballinger.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wilbourn and BM Batts Jr., a sister Margaret Tucker, and his wife Irene.
He is survived by a sister, Betty Lou Batts Agnew; his daughter Amy; sister-in-law Janice Kurtz and Randall; brothers-in-law Gene Piel and Mary, Larry Piel and Glenda; nephews Gary Batts and Sue, Alan Batts and Linda, David Tucker, Gill Agnew, Sam Batts, Mac St. John and Bridgett, Jason Piel and Darci, Jeffrey Piel and Tymonee; nieces Lesa Agnew Kastler and Bill, Laura Jane Agnew and Hill Abel, Carrie Ramos and Isaac, Jessica Botsford and Evan, and Sherri St. John.
David was known for his quick wit and sense of humor and beloved by all who knew him. David was known by some nieces and nephews as “Uncle Puddin”. He always had his hugger out! He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, August 6, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. There will be a private family burial followed by a memorial service at 1:30 pm on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kary Rawlings Fry officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the First Presbyterian Church in Ballinger, the Carnegie Library, or a favorite charity. The family would like to thank everyone who came by to visit and all the cards and phone calls. Also we would like to thank the staff at Ballinger Memorial Hospital for their exceptional care of David.
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