William Vrana passed away July 8, 2011. Bill was born on a farm near Moravia in Lavaca County, Texas to parents Emil and Albina Peter Vrana on June 22, 1914. In 1924 his father purchased a cotton gin at Moravia and an 80 acre farm. Bill worked on the farm and in the cotton gin from early childhood to the age of 20, an experience which reinforced his natural aptitude for and understanding of machinery. He attended public school at Moravia and graduated from Schulenberg High School. He entered the University of Texas in September, 1935, graduating in August, 1939 with a degree in Geology. Right after graduation, he accepted a job with the International Boundary Commission in El Paso as a Junior Draftsman. A year later, he went to work for the U.S. Corps of Engineers in Houston as an Assistant Draftsman and was promoted in 1942 to Chief Draftsman. In May, 1942 he met Joyce Raasch, who came to work for the Engineers as a clerk and stenographer, and they were married on September 28, 1942. In 1944 he volunteered for enlistment in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Army Signal Corps where he attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and served in various capacities until his discharge in May, 1946. In 1946 he went to work for Tennessee Gas Transmission Company as a geologist in their fledgling Geological Department in Houston. In January, 1954 he was sent to Corpus Christi as District Geologist to set up a new exploration office. After heading the Corpus office for seven years, he resigned from Tenneco to enter self-employment as a consulting geologist. He worked with several independent oil and gas operators in the Corpus Christi area until he retired in 1995. In 1972 he became interested in genealogy, and worked on the family histories of both his own and Joyce's families, producing works which were donated to various heritage centers and libraries around the state. He was interested throughout his life in machinery and building and engaged himself over the years in a wide variety of construction projects around the house.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons: Larry and Randy (Julie) Vrana; brother, Eddie Vrana, and sisters: Ollie Pospisil and Millie Berger.

He was pre-deceased by his parents: Emil Vrana and Albina Peter Vrana; brothers: Julius and Emil Vrana, and sister, Martha Hanslik.

There will be a private internment.