Billy Brister Eitel

Graveside services for Billy Brister Eitel, 79, of Big Sandy will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Chilton Cemetery with Chaplain Don Barren officiating. Following the service, a celebration of life and luncheon will take place at the Eitel Farm at 12:00 p.m. Mr. Eitel passed away peacefully on a beautiful fall day on November 3, 2017 in Big Sandy.

Mr. Eitel was born December 6, 1937 in the Pinnacle Community to the late Hardy Dee Eitel and Alma Amanda Brister Eitel. Bill was a 1960 graduate of Texas A&M and finished his Master’s in Education there. While attending Texas A&M he was a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. (Gig’em Aggies!) After graduation, Mr. Eitel went on to serve in the U.S. Army as a Captain until 1968. For more than 40 years, he worked for numerous schools as a teacher, counselor, principal, superintendent and consultant. Mr. Eitel was involved in the community everywhere he lived, including serving as Mayor of Hubbard. His vision was to preserve the past and plant seeds for future generations. After retiring in 2008, he returned to his passion for agriculture at the Eitel Family Farm in Big Sandy. Bill was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be missed.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn Eitel; his daughter Laurie Hicks and companion Francois Panich; his daughter Cheryl Dee Trott; and his son Eric Carson Eitel and wife Robyn. He was blessed with six beautiful grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; nephew James W. Eitel, Jr. and wife Aimee; as well as many loving family and friends.

Mr. Eitel is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Colonel James W. Eitel, who passed away in 2016 and was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Legacy Hospice or Big Sandy ISD.