Obituary of William "Bill" Betzel

William Albert “Bill” Betzel, 89, of Fort Worth, passed away on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Marty Leonard Chapel, 3131 Sanguinet St, Fort Worth, TX 76107. 

Bill was born in Albany, Texas on June 4, 1929, to Alvin Elton “A.E.” Betzel, Sr. and Edna Morrell Betzel. He attended UTA. Early on he worked with his dad and brother at Betzel Company, a machine shop located in Arlington. Later, as a real estate broker and land developer, Bill formed and led Betzel Group. While serving as its principal, he developed thousands of residential lots. Between 1983 and 1989, Bill also represented many clients ranging from individual land owners to international corporations as a land use consultant. Toward the end of his career, Bill moved to Granbury and continued his land development work until retirement. 

Bill served in the U.S. Army for two years as a Tank Commander, stationed in Germany. He also served as a deacon for many years at the First Presbyterian Church in Arlington. He was a longtime member of the Arlington Civitan Club.Bill was a volunteer for six years, with one year as the chairman on the Planning and Zoning Commission in Arlington. He also did volunteer work for the American Cancer Society. Bill had a passion for life and was warm, funny and generous to a fault. He made people feel special by his words and actions. He will be greatly missed.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jeanne; children, Lissa Betzel and Kurt Betzel; grandchildren, Elissa and husband Danny Luttrell, and Hunter Betzel; great-granddaughter, Eisley Lutrell; stepchildren, Debra Roach, Diane Mignano and husband Peter, Dawn Potthoff and husband Joe; step-grandchildren, Bryan Taylor, John Parks Roach, and Sarah Roach; step-great-grandson, Hunter Taylor; and two brothers, Alvin “Al” Betzel, Jr. and wife Jane, Charles Betzel and wife, Peggy, as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Bill’s caregiver, Tray Jemison, who offered his love and support in the last year of Bill’s life.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents. 

The Betzel family wishes expressions of sympathy be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. www.alz.org