Deacon William “Bill” Gier
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!” Matthew 25: 23
Deacon William “Bill” James Gier II, 70, of Beaumont, Texas died Monday, July 15, 2024. He was born November 17, 1953, to William J. Gier and Josephine Lena Krauskopf in Bay City, Texas.
Bill grew up in Bay City, Texas. He and his mother moved to Vidor during his high school years, following his father’s death. He graduated from Lamar University with an Associate’s Degree in fire safety management. He began working at MobilOil in 1973 and retired with forty years of service from ExxonMobil. Always a man of service, he spent many years in the Vidor Volunteer Fire Department, including as fire chief, and as a fire inspector for the City of Vidor.
Faith, love of family, and service defined Bill’s life. In 1972, Bill married Deborah Christie and they recently celebrated their fifty-second wedding anniversary. His children, Maryn and Will, were born and raised in Vidor. Their family converted to Catholicism in 1988 under the guidance of Father Bennie Patillo and Sister Miriam Ulm at St. Anthony Cathedral. Four grandchildren joined the family and were baptized into the Catholic faith.
After his retirement, Bill offered his help to Father Jerry McGrath at St. Anthony in any capacity in which he was needed and spent many years working in the parish office. During that time, he received a call to the diaconate and entered formation. He was forever grateful for the mentorship and spiritual guidance of Father Jerry McGrath, Deacon Larry David, Father Gus Wahl and too many others to name. Father Jim McClintock and his parish family at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches joyfully welcomed Bill into diaconate service.
He was an active member and volunteer with many organizations, including Knights of Columbus Council 951 of Beaumont; Kolbe Prison Ministry; Diocesan Prison Ministry; Serra Vocation Ministry of Beaumont; volunteer, Beaumont St. Elizabeth Hospital; Diocesan Stewardship Committee; Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem; ACTS Community; Catholic Charities; Market to Hope; and ExxonMobil Retirees. Although he never cooked at home, he could always be found on First Fridays cooking at the KC Hall.
Deacon Bill is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Deborah Christie Gier; daughter, Maryn Gier Taylor; son, Will Gier; best friend of 70 years, Joel Graeter; Sister in Christ, Jane Kemplay (“…and Jane.”); his four grandchildren: Chloe Gier Spellicy, Conner Gier, Noah Taylor, and Joshua Taylor; his sidekick poodle, Sir; and his Brothers in Christ, the deaconate class of 2023.
Deacon Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill Gier and Josephine Gier Almond, his mother-in-law, Beverly Clary Ridgeway, and his Brother in Christ, Brown Chapman.
In the front of his Christian prayer book, he had written this charge to himself:
Be A Servant.
Be Available.
Be Willing to be Available.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation that will help his parish continue to grow: St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Building Fund, 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches, TX 77651
A Rosary for Deacon Gier will be recited at 4:15 p.m., with a gathering of his family and friends to follow until his Christian Vigil service at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 18, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches. A reception will be held afterwards in Hebert Hall.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Port Neches. A reception will be 12:00 p.m., at Holy Family Retreat Center, 9920 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A family graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Video
Rosary
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
- 2006, Nall St, Port Neches, TX, 77651,
- July 18, 2024
- 4:15 pm - 4:30 pm
Gathering of Family and Friends
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
- 2006, Nall St, Port Neches, TX, 77651,
- July 18, 2024
- 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Christian Vigil
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
- 2006, Nall St, Port Neches, TX, 77651,
- July 18, 2024
- 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Reception
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
- 2006, Nall St, Port Neches, TX, 77651,
- July 18, 2024
- 7:00 pm
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
- 2006, Nall St, Port Neches, TX, 77651,
- July 19, 2024
- 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Reception
Holy Family Retreat Center
- 9920, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- July 19, 2024
- 12:00 pm
Debbie, I worked with Bill for many years and he was always one of the most knowledgeable men in operations. I was in maintenance and we always worked well together. I miss his posts for the Friday lunches. He was an honest and faithful person.
To Bill’s family: He was such a nice man. He was always helpful to the ladies making St. Joseph cookies. Worked in the kitchen. I know he will be missed.
Dear Deb, family and friends.
So very sorry for your loss of Bill, Dad, Grandfather , Friend, and
Deacon In Christ.🛐🛐🛐
Bill was such A Wonderful, Beautiful, And Spiritual Person.
Bill , gave, he served, he volunteered, he prayed, he cared, he loved, he helped, he believed in serving God, through others..
I met Bill back in 2013 at St. Anthony’s at daily mass, and a short period of time when became friends , over the gospel.
Bill would do the readings of the daily mass daily, he was an inspiration from the word of God to our ears.
Bill dedicated his life, to serve God, to share God’s life to others.
His beautiful faith, and charming smile, attracted all souls, and he would feel you up with spirit and love.
I would love to see in the morning,
Bill would post at 3 AM, pulling in to
St. Anne, where he would sit with Jesus for hours. Then he would go to 8 o’clock mass,, then go to the church and work, after, run out to the Knights Of Columbus and take care of business, other days you would find Bill at Saint Elizabeth Hospital, praying for others in need of prayer, bring them the body of Christ, and attend 11:30 Mass.
in fact, that was the last place I saw Bill, doing what he does best, attending Mass, reading the scriptures, receiving the body and blood of his Lord and Savior , Jesus Christ.➕➕➕
I’m so blessed to see Bill, where we originally met, at Mass.
I had no idea that he would pass away a shortly after .
Bill lived and loved his life, just like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lived and loved. 🛐💟🛐
Thank You, God, for our brother in Christ Bill Gier, a true servant, a true believer, a true giver, a true forgiver, a true friend to all. ✝️✝️✝️
Goodbye, my friend in Christ, you lived and served the holy family, every day, and you were so happy to do so.
I am proud and honored to call you friend.❤️
I know, Bill went straight through purgatory, and in to the arms of Jesus Christ..🙏🙏
Our deepest condolences.✝️
Rhonda, Rodney.❤️❤️
.
My condolences to you Mrs. DEBBIE. Bill would be my releif for adoration at St Ann Chapel. W were to go on the men’s retreat together, but I didn’t get to go this year. I will keep him and your family in prayer. I’m deeply sorry and will miss him too.
I was not privileged to serve with Bill in the Knights, but know that he served them and the Diocese with great love. He attended morning Mass at St. Jude’s often, and his devout attention was observed. His service in the Serra Ministry and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem were ways to minister to the Diocese as well, and all of these are indicators of his love for Christ and for his chosen vocation as Deacon.
We pray for Bill, and for Debbie and family, and Jane, that he rest in peace and that they be comforted through their many friends. Bill will be missed!
Dear Debbie from the first time I met you two you were always so gracious. Bill will be so missed. He was so devoted to God in serving others. May he rest in peace🙏🏻🙏🏻
Bill was a high character man with integrity. I worked with him many years and always appreciated how he managed problems and calmly dealt with people. I’ve no doubt he is in heaven, a fact his family undoubtedly shares.
I met Bill & Debbie 35 years ago when we were going through RCIA together. Over the years at St. Anthony’s we have studied and prayer and served our Lord together. I was so proud of Bill when he entered the diaconate. He had a heart of kindness and love of Christ and the church rarely seen. He and Debbie were so helpful to me during our Bible study classes. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to Debbie and family (and Jane). I feel your pain. Maybe Lonnie and Brown and Bill can get together with Catherine McFarland and pray for us.
Dear Debbie and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Bill was a very kind person and a true servant of God. I know you will miss him. I pray the Holy Spirit will comfort you and all those who grieve his lost. Peace of Christ be with you all.
Bill was a great man, supervisor and man of God. I worked with him many years at ExxonMobil. Several months ago I was in St. Elizabeth Hospital and he came by my room and gave prayer.
May God be with the family always and let Bill rest in peace.
Debbie and Family, may the Lord Our God bless, keep, strengthen and encourage each of you during this awesome time of Bereavement!!! I am so grateful to the Lord to have known, worked for and with Bill, such a wonderful, Kind, caring loving man of God. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers. All My love,
Debbie and Family, may the Lord Our God bless, keep, strengthen and encourage each of you during this awesome time of Bereavement!!! I am so grateful to the Lord to have know, worked for and with Bill, such a wonderful, Kind, caring loving man of God. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers. All My love,
Mrs Debbie, so sorry for your lost. I meant Mr. Bill at the Holy Family Center. He was always willing to serve other no better you were. He was a man of God. He had kind and warm Spirit. And, l help at St. Anthony with Mrs Sue.l will never forget him. My prayers to Mrs Debbie and her family.🙏
My heartfelt sympathy and our prayers are with you and your family. Deacon Bill’s dedication to the church and community was truly remarkable. His spirit of kindness and devotion and dedicated spirit of stewardship will always be remembered. May God’s love surround you and your family and bring you comfort. hugs, and prayers,
M. Slaughter
Bill,Great man of GOD,I MET BILL AT THE 2017 MENS RETREAT, VERY NICE AND CORDIAL,REST WELL BILL,YOU HAVE EARNED YOUR REWARD, PRAYING FOR THE FAMILY. 🙏🙏🙏
Debbie, I’m so sorry for your loss. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Sending my love also. Janet
Dear Deb and Colton
I am so sorry for your loss.
Bill was an amazing man.
I got to know him when Steve scales him and I counted church collections.
As i told him just a few months ago i thanked him for always going to visit Catherine McFarland especially in waning years. If nothing else he brought her bird feed for her outdoor bird feeder so she could look out at the birds.
I thank him for that and everything he did.
Prayers
Mike Cacioppo
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I have worked with him for three years through Beaumont center he always was such an amazing man. I’m so sad to hear of his loss. He will truly be missed praying for his family. He was truly one of God‘s chosen. He did so much to help so many people. We will all miss him so much. Prayers for his wife and family and if we can do anything please let us know. He was so great to Our ordination bringing Bibles and books to inmates. May God wrap his arms around his entire family at this time. He was truly dedicated to his family, his church and did so much that people didn’t even know he did to help others. What an amazing man.
Deborah
Absolutely sad to hear and my most sincere condolences… Bill was not just a pleasure to work with but a man of great purpose and faith. My prayers of comfort are with your family and many friends. He’ll be missed but he rests now in the arms of the Savior he loved
Tommy Barnes
My thoughts and prayers are with you Debbie. I am so sorry to hear this. The first time I meet Bill was on an act’s retreat and I was the head of Stewards and Bill was on the team. By the end of the retreat I felt like Bill was the head of stewards and I was one of the team. What an incredible servant we all will miss. Rest in peace my friend and brother. Well done Deacon Bill.