Gayle Bickel

Gayle Ann (McMenamy) Bickel passed into eternity with her heavenly Father on November 16, 2017 at home with her husband. She was born in Lubbock, TX January 9, 1953 to Louis & Laverna McMenamy.

Gayle was very active in 4-H and won many awards and then graduated as Salutatorian from Shallowater High School. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a Home Economics degree and later a Special Ed degree from Angelo State University.

She married the love of her life Stan Bickel May 18, 1974. She and Stan lived in Lubbock, Anahuac, Gonzales, Seminole and Big Spring before settling in Ballinger to raise their four children. Gayle stayed at home with her children until they were all in school and then she began her teaching career at Ballinger High School.

Gayle taught 12 years in Ballinger before leading the Culinary Arts program (for Central & Lakeview) at Central High School for 17 years. She did not teach for a paycheck, retirement benefits or for praise from others; she taught because she loved her students and hoped she could encourage them to be the best they could be. She loved her job.

She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, her 50+ cousins, dear friends and always travelling with Stan. She enjoyed decorating and going junking for furniture. Through the years, she & Stan created and owned B&Bs, fixer-uppers, Bickel & Co (gift shop in Ballinger) and Wool & Mohair warehouse which twice a year became the Queen B Café with Sara Vanicek and Lone Star Market with Laura Wills.

Survivors include her husband Stan Bickel, Jennifer (Dave Sturgeon & Charlie) of Vail, CO; Brian (Megan & Cole, Cooper & Quinn) Georgetown, TX; Brett (Becca), Charleston, SC and Brad Bickel, Ballinger, TX. Parents Louis & LaVerna McMenamy; brothers Keith (Glenda) McMenamy and Craig (Sherry) McMenamy; sister-in-law Charlsa Bickel; nieces and nephews across Texas; and many special cousins and friends too numerous to mention.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, November 24 at Ballinger Wool and Mohair Building (608 Railroad) in Ballinger from 6:00-7:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 25 at the First Baptist Church in Ballinger.

The Bickels would like to thank: SAISD Board and Administration; MD Anderson – Dr. Maria Chavez, Dr. Welela Tereffe; Shannon Hospital & Oncology Center – Dr. David Cummings & staff; and Ballinger Hospice.

Donations can be made to Gayle Bickel’s Culinary Arts Fund for Students at First National Bank of Ballinger PO Box 680 Ballinger, TX 76821 or Bank of San Angelo.