Otis Henry "Butch" Birkner, 80, of Bay City passed away Saturday, October 8, 2005 in Bay City, TX. He was born November 19, 1924 in Manchaca, TX to Joe Birkner, Sr. and Mabel Green Birkner. Butch was a life long resident of Bay City and member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a quiet, sensitive man who was a devoted caregiver to many family members and friends in their time of need. Otis first worked on Birkner's Dairy, later as a brick mason/building contractor, and then as a partner in Birkner Lumber Co. In 1976 he and his wife Doris purchased the business, and it became known as Birkner Paint and Fireplaces.
Butch was happiest when "wetting a line" in the river, or deer hunting with family and friends. He truly loved being outdoors. Those who knew him well enjoyed gifts of harvest from his prized vegetable garden or receiving a rose grown with special love.
He is survived by his children: Cindy Duncan & husband Terry, Linda Burgess & husband Larry all of Bay City, Otis Birkner, Jr of Oklahoma City, OK, Donna Sutherland & husband Gregg of Wadsworth, and Charles Birkner & wife Jill of Magnolia; grand-children: Shelly Duncan Graves, Sharon Duncan Jensen, Lauren Duncan, Robert Baish, Christopher Sutherland, Zachry Birkner, Taylor Birkner, Kaili Birkner, and Rylee Birkner; and great grandchildren: Maycee Baish and Anna Jensen; brothers: Joe Birkner, Jr of Bay City, Otha "Skeet" Birkner of Vanderpool, TX, Jack Birkner of El Campo, TX; sisters: Mary Kiesling of Kenedy, TX, Anna Ruth Klein of Tomball, TX, and Kathleen Stevens of Fort Worth, TX; and cousin: Kenneth Birkner of San Antonio, TX; He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Doris Gest Birkner; parents: Joe and Mabel Birkner, Sr.; and sister: Mabel Birkner Wakefield.
Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at the First Methodist Church with Rev. Pauline Harvey and Rev. Kevin Young officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Van Vleck. Pallbearers will be Wyatt, Tim, Donald, & Jack, Jr Birkner, Jeffrey Klein, and Richard P. Stevens. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. James E. Cowart, Rex Quinn, Larry Kiesling, Robert Klein, Richard Stevens, Kenneth Birkner, Charles Stephenson, Kevin Jensen, and Stan Graves. The family will receive friends at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, % Martha Johnson, 3008 Ave L, Bay City, TX 77414. Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City.