Melvin William Witte, 84, of Brenham, died May 11 at Trinity Medical Center.
Mr. Witte was born Sept. 16, 1920 in Washington, Texas to Charlie Jr. and
Rosa Horstmann Witte. He was baptized Oct. 31, 1920, in Bethleham Lutheran
Church of William Penn by the Rev. H.F. Hellmann and was confirmed April 5,
1936 in Bethleham Lutheran Church of William Penn by the Rev. C.J. Appel.
Mr. Witte attended Sandy Hill and William Penn School and was a graduate of
Lockhart High School in Lockhart.
From Nov. 2, 1939 to Nov. 6, 1945, he served as a flight chief and airline
electrical mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Force and attained the rank of
master sergeant.
On April 6, 1947 he was married to Pearl Kramer in Salem Lutheran Church of
Salem by the Rev. A.J. Mohr. Mr. Witte played semi-pro baseball and was
inducted into the South Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. His nickname was
"Bullett." Mr. Witte was a truck driver for various beverage companies and
Central Freight Lines. He retired from Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Brenham in
October, 1982. Mr. Witte was a life member of BPOE 979, was a member of the
American Legion and enjoyed watching and listening to baseball.
Survivors include his daughter and son in law, Joanne and Skip Hollingsworth
of Brenham; sisters, Dorothy Hahn and Mae Ola Grebe, both of Brenham; and
numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his
wife, Pearl Witte; and one sister and brother-in-law.
Services were held Sunday, May 15th at Salem Lutheran Church of Salem with
Pastor Bill Derrick, Pastor Lisa Burroughs, and the Rev. Cecilia Smith
officiating. Burial was conducted in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham.
Pallbearers were: Gail Baker, Judy Brooks, Leon Beach, Willie Prigge,
Darrell Loesch, and Floyd Addicks.
Honorary pallbearers will be Monroe Gaskamp, Berry Lee Goldberg, Alan
Beckendorf, Glen E. Pohlmeyer, Elroy Wiesepape, Charles Kuecker, Howard
Kuecker, all employees of Coca-Cola Bottling Co and all members of Brenham
Elks Lodge 979.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Salem Lutheran Church Organ
Fund.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main
St., in Brenham.

Posted by Joy Neely