Cover photo for William "Bill" Ernst's Obituary
William "Bill" Ernst Profile Photo
1929 William 2020

William "Bill" Ernst

May 10, 1929 — May 22, 2020

Bill Ernst, 91, of West Orange, Texas, passed away on May 22, 2020, at home.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 2020, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Burial will follow at Fountain Cemetery in Starks, Louisiana.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 10, 1929, he was the son of George J. Ernst and Bernadine (Tisch) Ernst. Bill proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. He met his beloved wife at a Naval Base and married her on June 14, 1952 in the Great Lakes. After serving his country he went on to become a maintenance mechanic for Allied Signal. Bill was a VFW member and a faithful member of North Orange Baptist Church for many years. He also volunteered for Orange Baptist Hospital until its closing. He was a man of many hobbies but most of all loved fishing, golfing, building things, and gardening with his wife. Bill was an exercise fanatic and worked out daily until his sickness took over his body. He was known for his dry sense of humor, being hardheaded, and a little stubborn. Bill was a family man who had a soft spot for his grandchildren and was always there when they needed him. He left an imprint on so many lives and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Polly Ernst; granddaughter, Kristina Dunham; and his parents, George and Bernadine Ernst.

He is survived by his daughters, Stephanie Hess and husband Calvin of Bedford, Virginia, and Jackie Shaffer of Montgomery, Texas; grandchildren, Aliya Gifford of New York, Hameed Gifford of Boston, and Amanda Lenz of Montgomery, Texas; great grandchildren, Bella Lenz, Jacob Lenz, and Mack Lenz all of Montgomery, Texas; sister, Helen Fox of Ohio.

Serving as pallbearers will be Christina Lenz, BJ Hukill, David Courville, and Glen Royer. Honorary pallbearers are Mark Dunham and Calvin Hess.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the VA in his name. Please no flowers or plants.

Please respect social distancing and reserve physical affection for the future.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William "Bill" Ernst, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Funeral Service

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

Claybar Funeral Home Orange

504 5th Street, Orange, TX 77630

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