Wass_Donald

**DONALD ELLIS WASS**
Bellville Times Funeral services were held Thursday at 11 a.m. for a Washington County Sheriff¹s Office deputy who died Sunday near Kenney, Texas. Donald Ellis Wass, 35, of Bellville, an almost 10-year veteran of the sheriff¹s office, died following an accident on Highway 36 South in Austin County early Sunday morning. A graduate of the Gus George Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Academy, Wass began his career with the Washington County Sheriff¹s Office in June of 1996, starting as a deputy jailer. He was placed in the patrol division in 1997. Due to his role in the capture of Robert Gene Will II on Dec. 4, 2000, who had shot and killed Harris County Deputy Barry Hill and fled, Wass received a number of awards and commendations. Along with local recognition by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, he received the Peace Officer of the Year from the Washington County Council and the Buddy Wright American Legion Post #48. Wass was also selected by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to receive the State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor. Wass was also recognized by the Brazos Valley Area Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts in fighting drunk driving in Washington County through his diligent patrol work. Wass had achieved the status of Advanced Peace Officer through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. Through his many hours of continuing education, he was certified as a field training officer, training a number of new patrol deputies for the sheriff¹s office and an instructor. Deputy Wass was born May 30, 1970, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Donald James ³Jim² and Sue Ellan Spear Wass. He was baptized Sept. 6, 1970 in Kirkwood United Methodist Church in Kirkwood, Missouri. On July 11, 1998, he was married to Amanda ³Mandi² Eldridge at Houston Farm and Ranch Club. Survivors include his wife, Amanda ³Mandi² Wass of Bellville; daughter, Jolie Beth Wass of Bellville; parents, Sue and Jim Wass of Bellville; brother and sister-in-law, Brett and Monica Wass of Long Beach, California; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jennings and Doris Eldridge of Sabine Pass; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Danny and Jenny Kelley of Houston, Lou and Paula Fairchild of Sabine Pass, Curtis and Leslie Eldridge of Bridge City and Phil and Vicky Carley of Houston. The family received visitors from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. The funeral service was at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27,2006 in St. Paul¹s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham with Chaplain Bob Grigg and the Rev. Bill Lanigan officiating. Burial was in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Pallbearers were Victor Kuyken-doll, Charles Hamby, Johnny Powell, Shane Snider, Curtis Kulow, Jerry Maywald, Doug Zwiener, William Shepherd, Dane Houston and Richard Zaborowski. The Washington County Sheriff¹s Office and all of Wass¹ brothers and sisters in uniform will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be given to the Jolie Wass Education Fund in care of Citizens State Bank, P.O. Box 90 in Brenham, TX 77834. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, in Brenham Posted by Joy Neely

Bellville Times

Funeral services were held Thursday at 11 a.m. for a Washington County
Sheriff¹s Office deputy who died Sunday near Kenney, Texas.
Donald Ellis Wass, 35, of Bellville, an almost 10-year veteran of the
sheriff¹s office, died following an accident on Highway 36 South in Austin
County early Sunday morning.
A graduate of the Gus George Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Academy, Wass
began his career with the Washington County Sheriff¹s Office in June of
1996, starting as a deputy jailer. He was placed in the patrol division in
1997.
Due to his role in the capture of Robert Gene Will II on Dec. 4, 2000, who
had shot and killed Harris County Deputy Barry Hill and fled, Wass received
a number of awards and commendations.  Along with local recognition by Rep.
Lois Kolkhorst, he received the Peace Officer of the Year from the
Washington County Council and the Buddy Wright American Legion Post #48.
Wass was also selected by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to receive
the State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor.
Wass was also recognized by the Brazos Valley Area Mothers Against Drunk
Driving for his efforts in fighting drunk driving in Washington County
through his diligent patrol work.
Wass had achieved the status of Advanced Peace Officer through the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.  Through his
many hours of continuing education, he was certified as a field training
officer, training a number of new patrol deputies for the sheriff¹s office
and an instructor.
Deputy Wass was born May 30, 1970, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Donald James
³Jim² and Sue Ellan Spear Wass. He was baptized Sept. 6, 1970 in Kirkwood
United Methodist Church in Kirkwood, Missouri.
On July 11, 1998, he was married to Amanda ³Mandi² Eldridge at Houston Farm
and Ranch Club.
Survivors include his wife, Amanda ³Mandi² Wass of Bellville; daughter,
Jolie Beth Wass of Bellville; parents, Sue and Jim Wass of Bellville;
brother and sister-in-law, Brett and Monica Wass of Long Beach, California;
and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jennings and Doris Eldridge of Sabine
Pass; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Danny and Jenny Kelley of
Houston, Lou and Paula Fairchild of Sabine Pass, Curtis and Leslie Eldridge
of Bridge City and Phil and Vicky Carley of Houston.
The family received visitors from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 at Memorial
Oaks Chapel in Brenham.
The funeral service was at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27,2006 in St. Paul¹s
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham with Chaplain Bob Grigg and the Rev.
Bill Lanigan officiating. Burial was in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham.
Pallbearers were Victor Kuyken-doll, Charles Hamby, Johnny Powell, Shane
Snider, Curtis Kulow, Jerry Maywald, Doug Zwiener, William Shepherd, Dane
Houston and Richard Zaborowski. The Washington County Sheriff¹s Office and
all of Wass¹ brothers and sisters in uniform will serve as honorary
pallbearers.
Memorials may be given to the Jolie Wass Education Fund in care of Citizens
State Bank, P.O. Box 90 in Brenham, TX 77834.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, in Brenham

Posted by Joy Neely

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