Cleve P. Batson Jr.

Cleve P. Batson, Jr. passed away Sunday, January 14, 2018 at the age of 85.
Cleve was born the only child of Cleve P. Sr. and Lucy Marie (Gustine) Batson
on September 9, 1932 in Normangee, Texas. His father was a farmer and a Justice of
the Peace, while his mother worked for a farm implement dealer in Normangee. As a
child, Cleve enjoyed riding his horse Dolly bareback. As a teenager at Normangee
High School, he was the assistant manager of the basketball team before he
graduated in 1949. In 1951, Cleve enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served on the
General William Mitchell, a troop transport ship. He served from 1951-1956, during
the Korean Conflict. He then went to school to become a GCA (Ground Control
Approach) technician, helping to land planes in bad weather. He later graduated
from the University of Houston in 1962 under the G.I. Bill.
When Cleve returned from the Navy, he met his future wife, the girl next
door. Billie was friends with Cleve Sr. and Lucy, and they proudly introduced her to
their son. The rest was history. The two were married on February 1, 1958 at St.
Marks United Methodist Church in Houston and were married 18 days shy of 60
years. They were blessed with one son, Bryan. He loved his wife and son dearly. As
an only child himself, Cleve always thought the world of his parents. Cleve
supported his family by working for Southern Pacific Railroad as an electronic
engineer. He retired in 1994 after 30 years of service.
After retiring, Cleve volunteered at St. Marks United Methodist Church, doing
everything from repairs, to working with the food pantry, to helping in the office.
He was a compassionate man with a great attention to detail. A gentleman, he
always opened a door for a lady. Cleve loved to tell jokes and was known as having
an active sense of humor. Cleve loved University of Houston basketball games, and
was an usher at home games for 11 years. He was a great tinkerer – he loved to take
things apart, but putting them back together was another thing. After moving to
Bryan, Cleve and Billie became active members of the First United Methodist Church
of Bryan. He suffered from Alzheimer’s the last several years before his death.
Cleve leaves behind his beloved wife Billie, his son and daughter-in-law Bryan and Theresa Batson of League City, his niece Kay Flowers of Idaho, and his niece Karen Stephens and her husband Denny of Ohio.  He is also survived by an aunt, Reba Jack (Batson) Kilfoy, of Madisonville, and many cousins. To celebrate Cleve’s life, several events are planned. On Wednesday, January17, there will be a visitation from 2 PM to 4 PM at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan. On Thursday, January 18th, there will be a funeral service at 10 AM at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan. Later on Thursday evening, from 6 PM to 8 PM, there will be a visitation at Heights Funeral Home located at 1317 Heights Blvd. Houston, Texas 77008. On Friday morning, January 19th, there will be a funeral service at 10 AM at Heights Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Hollywood Cemetery 3506 N. Main Street in Houston. Please share any memories or tributes to Cleve at www.hillierfuneralhome.com