William “Bill” Bode

William “Bill” Bode passed away peacefully at home in his sleep February 20, 2024, at the age of 79 following a brief intense battle with cancer.

Bill was born on September 4, 1944, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Helmuth “Bo” and Emlyn “Emmy” Bode.

Upon his graduation as a Chemical Engineer from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, he began his career with Sinclair Petroleum in Philadelphia, Pa. on April 1, 1968.  He moved to Beaumont, Texas, in 1970, with his young family.  The name of the Refinery changed several times (Sinclair, BP, Fina and Total), but he did not.  He served in numerous management functions and retired after 40 years on April 1, 2008.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman and spent any and all of his spare time fishing, hunting or racing his sailboat at the Port Arthur Yacht Club, depending on the season.  He received many awards for his outdoor abilities in the many tournaments he participated in as is evidenced by the numerous trophy mounts in his home.  One story I fondly remember was he and Pete Hebert, a lifelong friend, heading to the Flower Garden to fish overnight with two 55-gallon barrels of fuel on the back of the Center Console so they could make the trip without running out of fuel.

On December 16, 1977, he married his true soul-mate and love of his life Elizabeth “Liz” Bumstead, and finally gained a bonus son, Sean. Bill and Liz spent many vacations driving throughout the United States visiting places neither had been and then started Cruising so they didn’t have to drive.

Bill thoroughly enjoyed his time serving on the following Board of Directors: Beaumont West Homeowner’s Association beginning at its inception in 1982, for many years as president; Peregrine Homeowner’s Association from 1985 – 2022, (many years as president and vice president); and The Landing at Seven Cove’s (as Vice President). He put everything he had in these groups to make them the best they could be.

Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Liz Bode; his daughters, Denise Turner (Mark) and Heather Duke; son, Sean Ohlrich (Melissa); grandchildren, Ashley Boston (Jordan), Christine Scarbrough (Stephen), Katie Smith (Travis), Dustin Womack and Jared Ohlrich, and 4 great-grandchildren with another one on the way; sister, Lynn Dunn (Crae); and brothers, Bob Bode (Julie) and John Bode (Mary Beth); and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmy and Bo Bode and brother, Jim Bode.

A gathering of Mr. Bode’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 23, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Knupple Cemetery, Silsbee.

Pallbearers will be Sean Ohlrich, Dustin Womack, Jared Ohlrich, Stephen Scarbrough, Kyle McMillan and Mark Turner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in his memory to the Julie & Ben Rogers Cancer Institute, 3555 Stagg Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or the charity of your choice.