Port Lavaca – Billy Joe “Bill” Corbell, 87, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2013. He was born on October 25, 1925 in Caddo, Texas to the late Ivan Calvin Corbell and Ruby Lee Corbell.
Bill grew up in Tomball, Texas and graduated from Tomball High School. After graduation, Bill entered the V12 Naval Officer training at Tulane University. While at Tulane, Bill ran track and field for the University’s track team and held the record for the Southeast Conference one-mile run. In 1943, Bill entered the U.S. Navy as an Ensign. During his service in the Navy he served aboard several ships, including the USS Ozark LSV2 in World War II and the LST 902 in the Korean War. In his later years, Bill enjoyed reunions with his shipmates from both ships. After honorable discharge as a Lieutenant from the Navy, Bill returned to the University of Texas in Austin and graduated from UT in 1954 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Bill worked his entire forty year career as a mechanical engineer for Humble Oil/Exxon and continued doing consulting work for several more years after retirement. During his career, Bill and his wife Tommie lived in many different locations including Katy and West Columbia, Texas, Venezuela, Pensacola, FL, Green River, WY and Santa Barbara, CA. They made many friends throughout those years that remain friends today. Bill and Tommie moved to Port Lavaca, TX to retire and pursue his passion of fishing in Port O’Connor. Bill was an avid fisherman and fished in Port O’Connor well into his eighties; taking, teaching, and sharing his passion and love of fishing with his children, grandchildren and friends. He was a member of the American Legion Post 167, local Republican Party, Conservative Club and TexasExes.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Tommie Jean Pinkston Corbell; two sons, Jon Corbell and wife Rayelene of Brazos Country, TX, and Mike Corbell and wife Irma of Seabrook, TX and one daughter, Kathy Henkes and husband Chuck of Oklahoma City, OK; grandchildren Kris and husband Steve Bellard, Ryan Corbell and wife Rachel, Casey, Eric and Matthew Corbell, Hailey and husband Danny Points, Jake Henkes and wife Andria, and Alyssa Henkes; and one great grandson, Brock Bellard; one brother, Jack Corbell and wife Nancy; one aunt, Juanita Chaney of Austin; and numerous nieces, nephews and several cousins.
A celebration of Bill’s life and legacy was held on February 19 at Richardson Colonial Funeral Home with Dr. Stephen Brazzel of Spring Creek Baptist Church of Spring, TX officiating, assisted by Danny Points of Austin, TX. Military graveside service followed at Green Lawn Gardens Cemetery in Port Lavaca.
