Bill Bode

Bill F. Bode, 86, passed away September 6, 2014. Born to the late Marvin and Frances Bode in San Antonio, Texas on July 24, 1928, he was a dedicated husband, wonderful father, and exceptional grandfather and great grandfather. He was a strong outspoken man, whose touch was firm, yet kind, and words were powerful, yet loving. He had arms big enough to hold all his family and friends. He spent his school years in Banquete, Texas, where in 1945, he was the first person from a class B school to make the All South Texas Football Team. He also played semi-pro baseball and softball for many years. After graduating from school, he worked in refineries around Banquete. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Wagener, in 1949 and lived a happy life with her for 65 years. In 1956, Bill and "Max" moved with their 4 children to the Calallen area. He became interested in law enforcement and started working for the Nueces County Sheriff's Department where he served as a patrolman, detective, captain, and chief jailer. He loved his job and one of his proudest moments was when he was able to treat each prisoner to a Whataburger instead of their usual Thanksgiving dinners. After 20 years with the sheriff's office he ran for constable of the Calallen area and was re-elected four times. He was both the "boogeyman" and the "good guy" to the kids in the Calallen and Tuloso area. He was honored in 1998 by having the Calallen area County Building named after him. Bill always considered himself a very lucky man because he had a family he loved, a job he loved, and a hobby (fishing) he loved. Bill was preceded in death by his a son, Bryan Bode; a daughter, Roxy Linton; and a brother, Allen Bode. He is survived by his wife, Maxine Bode; children, Betty (Greg) Murphy, and Wade (Brenda) Bode, and Mike Linton; grandchildren, Joli (Jeremy) Finch, Staci (Jared) McCullough, Beth (Mak) Becker, Matt (Audrey) Bode, Lacy (John Paul) Reed, Lori Linton, and Bryan Bode; and great grandchildren include, Jaden and Jaci Finch, Brooke and Brenna Becker, Murphy and Kollins McCullough, and Kaydance and Gweneth Bode. He is also survived by a brother, John (Linda) Bode; a sister, Mary Lou (Roy) Goldman; and a very special sister-in-law, Loleta Riley and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Sawyer George Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be conducted on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel with The Rev. Michele Lott officiating. Burial will follow at Robstown Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Matthew Bode, Bryan Bode, Jeremy Finch, Jaden Finch, Mak Becker, and Jared McCullough. Honorary Pallbearers include John Paul Reed, and Mike Linton. Special thanks go out to Jackie Wittner, Molly Tinnell, Charlie Donnally, Jeff Lemley, Hospice workers, and all the nurses and caretakers at Trisun Care Center-River Ridge. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make contributions to the Grace United Methodist Church, 14521 Northwest Boulevard, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410 or to your favorite charity.