Ronald R. B. Holzmann

Ronald R.B. Holzmann, age 72, of Ross, left to be with his Lord surrounded by his loving family late Thursday morning, January 28, 2010 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with longtime friend Rev. Boyce Vardiman and Rev. Linda Wimberly officiating. Burial will follow at West Brethren Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Ron was born August 9, 1937, the son of Ralph and Beatrice "Bettye" (Price) Holzmann in San Antonio. He grew up loving and participating in all sports and played semi-pro football for the San Antonio Wolverines. He graduated from the University of Texas, while there he married "the love of his life", Bettye Norris on July 4, 1959. Following graduation, they made their home in West, where Ron served the West Independent School District as teacher, coach, bus driver, principal and superintendent for sixteen years. He later worked for the Methodist Boy's Ranch and Rio Brazos Transportation for nineteen years before going to Bosqueville to serve as their transportation director. Ron felt a deep connection and love for the people of the West community and found it was the perfect place to raise his two loving children. He served as volunteer police officer and even Chief of Police for two days. He also volunteered with the McLennan County Sheriff's Department and served as Deputy Constable with his good friend James Maler. Ron volunteered as a firefighter and also served as Fire Chief and Environmental Control and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the City of West. He helped to organize the West Volunteer Ambulance Association and served as their president for five years. He was a volunteer with the American Red Cross and taught first aide and extraction classes for area fire departments and emergency medical services. Ron also loved coaching and worked with the West Little League and the St. Mary's Mustangs. He organized an adult softball league and was the pitcher for the "Holzmann All-Stars." Ron was a lifetime member of Kiwanis International, holding several positions in the West club and was Lt. Governor for the Texas-Oklahoma District. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of West for over fifty years and served in all capacities from Sunday school teacher, youth director, trustee, to lay leader. He felt the members were his extended family and was cared for by them all. Ron loved his family dearly and his favorite thing was spending time with them and playing with his grandchildren. Those left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of fifty years, Bettye Holzmann; a daughter, Karen Emery and husband Charles Steven; a son, Donald Holzmann, all of Ross; three grandchildren, Stephanie Sullins and husband Jason of Chalk Bluff, Mindy Emery and Cody Emery, both of Ross; a great-grandson, Connor Sullins; brother-in-law, Neal Norris; sisters-in-law, Joyce Norris, Pat Helms and husband Drew, and Barbara Arnold; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are David Maler, Kevin Maler, Emanuel Mitchell, Dwain Deiterman, Tommy Flood, and Royce Berger. Honorary pallbearers are Charlie Rouse, LaVon Cox, and Dale Lusk. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Volunteer Ambulance Association or to First United Methodist Church of West.