William Frank “Bill” Kunetka

May 18, 1941 - February 19, 2023

William Frank “Bill” Kunetka, 81, of Beaumont, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Christus Southeast Texas – St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. He was born May 18, 1941, in El Campo, to Bertha Ann Dressler Kunetka and Willie Walter Kunetka.

Bill graduated from Lamar University in 1964 with a civil engineering degree and later earned his professional engineering license. He worked for 31 years at the Mobil Oil refinery as an engineer. After retiring early, the enjoyment of working on engineering projects drew him back to the refinery through various contract companies in the past several years. During his retirement, Bill enjoyed many days at his lake cabin at Sam Rayburn with his wife, Barbara. He loved fishing, hunting, gardening, woodworking, and working on his family genealogy.

Bill, happily known as Pa for 34 years, was an avid sports fan. Early on, he enjoyed coaching his children’s recreational sports teams, and in recent years, he loved watching college and professional sports with Barbara, also known as Gee. Gee and Pa attended many of their grandchildren’s sports and activities as they grew up. In addition, Pa taught several of them to ride a bike, to fish, to water ski, and to drive, all with great patience, and enjoyed hunting with his grandsons.

Bill built his own lake house with his longtime friend, Charles Appling, and traveled on many trips with Charles and his wife, Linda. The two couples enjoyed raising their children together and spent a great amount of time at the lake. In their senior years, they have enjoyed attending Bible study classes together and many cups of coffee on the porch at the lake house.

Barbara and Bill are charter members of Saint Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Beaumont where Bill served on the parish council.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus 951 and attended an ACTS retreat, followed by serving at many subsequent ACTS retreats.

Bill is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Barbara Kana Kunetka; children, Jamie McCauley and her husband, Scott, of Beaumont; Shelly Burrell and her husband, Troy, of Beaumont; Tracy Walter and her husband, Craig, of Flower Mound; William Keith Kunetka and his wife, Blake, of Houston; grandchildren, Molly Daniels, Maggie McCauley, Cameron Burrell; Cody Burrell; Kayla Walter, Wade Walter, Julia Walter, Will Kunetka, Caroline Kunetka, George Kunetka, and Lucie Kunetka; siblings, Willie Mae Cihal, Betty Kallus, and George Kunetka; and five great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Irene Hurta; and great-granddaughter, Hope Daniels.

Our family would like to thank all the ICU nurses and doctors at St. Elizabeth hospital for their outstanding care and compassion during Bill’s final days. And Gee thanks ICU nurse and granddaughter, Kayla, who guided her through the week as a medical liaison and cared for Pa as she would her own patient.

Memorial contributions can be made to Lamar University, Hope Daniels Nursing Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 10081, Beaumont, Texas 77710, (Donate Here) or St Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706.

A gathering of Mr. Kunetka’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 24, 2023, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 25, 2023, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. A graveside service will be at 1:00 p.m, Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at Holy Cross Memorial Park, 1615 South Mechanic Street, El Campo.

Download Program

Gathering of Family and Friends

Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
  • 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
  • February 24, 2023
  • 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Rosary

Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
  • 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
  • February 24, 2023
  • 7:00 pm

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church
  • 6825, Gladys Ave, Beaumont, TX, 77706,
  • February 25, 2023
  • 2:00 pm

Graveside Service

St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church
  • 6825, Gladys Ave, Beaumont, TX, 77706,
  • February 28, 2023
  • 1:00 pm

Comments (18)

    Linda Miranda Gaudio says:

    Shelly and family,
    Such a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    ❤️The Gaudio Family
    Mark, Linda & Christopher

    Betty Kana Mocek says:

    Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. God bless

    Betty Jean Kana Mocek and Family

    FR. R.E. OAKES says:

    i remembered your family at sunday mass. may he rest in peace.

    Jessica Malach says:

    Barbara and family. Sorry for your loss
    You have such a nice family. ….I am
    Praying for your memories to give
    You solace
    Jessica Malach

    Ervin and Dolores Polnick says:

    Very sincere condolences to all the family. He was a very special man.

    James Gary Hall says:

    Bill was a true g entleman a fine and loyal friend.It was my pleasure to cut his hair for 58 years. He will be missed.

    Mike and Jeannie Kana says:

    Our sincere condolences to the family. Bill was a kind and gentle soul and he will surely be missed. Sending love and prayers.

    Lea J Cossey says:

    Sorry for your loss
    My prayers and thoughts are with you ????

    Fr. Salvador J Culotta says:

    What a fine Christian man, an excellent example of a true Catholic. I have remembered him and all his family at Mass this morning.

    ANNETTE YOUNG says:

    Dear Barbara and family, My prayers are for you as you go through this difficult time.

    David and Denise Farson says:

    We are sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. May God wrap his loving arms around your family and give you peace.

    Dan & Dee Hrncir says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and the family.

    Larry “Bear” Kana says:

    Always good to see him at the reunion. Praying for the family.

    Lucy Stanzel says:

    Our prayers are with you ! May Bill rest in peace ! Bob and Lucy Stanzel

    Linda and Jim Sachitano says:

    So very sorry for your loss. We will pray for your family to have peace and comfort.

    Gene and Kathy Isabell says:

    So very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. What a beautiful legacy he leaves behind. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

    GARY GORSICH says:

    Rest in peace Noble Friend

    Cecilia Castellanos says:

    My deepest condolences to Barbara n rest of Billy’s family.

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