- Date Of Birth: December 20, 1938
- Date Of Death: May 22, 2015
- State: Texas
William (Bill) J Novak, May 22, 2015.
William James Novak, “Bill” was called to rest on May 22, 2015. Bill was born December 20, 1938 in Runge, Texas to the late William Theodore and Ethel Susan Novak. He graduated from Runge High School, where he played varsity football, basketball and ran track. Bill went on to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he played defensive end on a football scholarship and graduated earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture.
Upon graduation from college, Bill honorably served with the US Army in the infantry division at Fort Hood of the Texas National Guard. He met and married the love of his life, Joyce Marie Campbell in Victoria, Texas. Bill and Joyce had one daughter, Lana Christine Novak Byrne. After graduation from college, Bill was employed by Texas Instruments in Cuero, Texas. He moved to Childress, Texas where he was employed by USDA Soil Conservation Office. He then transferred to Farmers Home Administration as County Supervisor in Pearsall and Beeville, Texas. Bill came to the State Office Staff in Temple, TX where he later became Rural Housing Chief of FM FFA . Bill retired from Farmers Home Administration after 25 years, but decided that retirement was not for him.
After a brief period, Bill started a second career with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance where he worked for an additional 12 years and won numerous awards and accolades. Bill truly loved ranching and farming. He was happiest when driving his tractor and shredding hay at his farm in Westphalia, TX. He was also a real estate broker and as a hobby, Bill enjoyed refurbishing older homes, investing in real estate and assisting other families in achieving the dream of home ownership. Bill was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church of Temple and the Knights of Columbus fourth degree.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Ethel and William Novak and sister Patsy Ann Novak, all of Runge, Texas. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Lana, son-in-law Joseph Edward Byrne, and grandchildren Rebecca Noel Byrne and Nicholas James Byrne of Dallas, TX; brother John Theodore Novak of Victoria, TX; sister Charlene Novak Blaschke of Runge, TX and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
