William Henry Mayer, Jr.

Our “Longhorn”, Bill, passed away at his family ranch in Blanco, Texas on October 29, 2020.  He was the son of Lt. Col. William H. and Anita Richards Mayer.  William (“Bill”) was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his lifelong friend and brother-in-law, William (Billy) E. Bentley. Bill graduated from Douglas MacArthur High School  in 1959, and graduated in 1965 from the University of Texas, Austin (Bachelor in Science, Mechanical Engineering).  Bill’s professional career included years of employment at power plants in the cities of Austin and San Antonio, Texas, before moving into a sales position at Ingersoll-Rand in Houston, Texas. He started his own company, Longhorn Pump and Equipment, Inc. in 1986.  His company successfully represented principals by calling on power plants, concrete plants, and oil refineries throughout the state of Texas.  He semi-retired from that occupation and enjoyed selling ranch properties in Blanco Texas from the late 1990’s until 2018.  Bill inherited a passion for flying, having admired his father and his career as a WWII Air Force Pilot.  (Col. Mayer was also a POW.) Having earned a private pilot’s license in the mid-80’s, Bill, because he genuinely enjoyed teaching anyone anything if they were interested in learning, later enjoyed time as a flight instructor, and earned his Commercial Pilot’s License in 2010.  Bill was a longtime member of Blanco United Methodist Church. He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Barbara Kay, who will cherish the memories of their life together, and the love they shared. He leaves behind his daughter, Tracy Mayer Irizarry and husband, Joe; and his son, David Mayer and his wife, Courtney.  He is also survived by Barbara Kay’s daughters:  Michele Pruett and husband, Jeff; and Jennie Stafford.  Bill considered and treated his stepdaughters as no one’s but his own, and they loved and adored him as their dad; His grandchildren: Tony Irizarry, Sam Irizarry, Caty Mayer, Colin and Rachel Mayer, Jeff and Nicole Pruett, Brittany Pruett, Joshua and Shaunteva Pruett, Zech and Kayla Pruett; Kline Stafford and Keller Stafford; great-grandchildren:  Ruxton and Keikley Pruett; Graceson, Tessa, Gavin, and Titus Spann; Krew Pruett; Dalis and Maren Pruett all loved and adored their Paw-Paw. Bill is also survived by his beloved sister, Cheryl Bentley, and his niece, Cassy Bentley. A private family memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Carlos Cloyd on November 6 at Blanco United Methodist Church.  The family would like to thank the Sonnen family members for their consistent compassion and support, and also especially thank Delores Esparza and Frances Rivera for their excellent care and kindness.  Memorials in Bill’s name may be directed to Wounded Warriors Project.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Henry Mayer, Jr., please visit our floral store.