Obituary of William Franklin Geter

William Franklin Geter, aka “Geter”, of Abernathy, TX, entered eternal life on December 11, 2022 in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas at 46 years old. Geter’s friends and family gather in remembrance on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at the Abell Funeral Home in Abernathy, TX. Graveside services lead by Pastor Chris Irvin and under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop will be held on Monday, December 19th, 2022 and his body laid to rest near paternal ancestors at Littleville Oakwood Cemetery, in Hamilton, Hamilton County, TX. With hope of gaining a healthier life, William underwent a gastric bypass surgery on November 30, 2022. He remained hospitalized post operation; as the days in the hospital continued, against statistics, his health deteriorated. Family and friends visited him at the hospital. Many prayed for his recovery. Our heavenly father called him home and made him whole and healthier than he could ever be on earth. Prayerfully surrounding his bedside was his wife Elise, sons Ethan and Isaiah and daughter, Aspen. William is survived by his wife of 16 years, Brianna Elise Geter; his two sons, Ethan Riley Geter and Isaiah Landon Geter; daughter, Aspen Elise Geter all of Abernathy, TX; and daughter Myrah Brynne Geter of Lubbock, TX; nephews Billy Frank Geter, III “Trey”; Denis Otto Geter “D” and Lucas William Geter “Luc” of Olney, TX; sister-in-law, Rhonda Jeske Geter of Olney, TX; aunt Joan Geter Throneberry of Hico, TX; many cousins, and close friends. William was born at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX on April 29, 1976 to Billy Frank Geter, Sr. and Dolores Evelyn Evans Geter. His only sibling, a brother, Billy Frank Geter, Jr. was born 13 months and 13 days later. William and Billy were raised by their single father (with the help of his mother, whom the boys called Nanny, and their aunt Joan). William attended Wilmer-Hutchins schools in early elementary before moving to Hico, TX in 1988. He attended Hico Schools from 5th grade through graduation in 1995. He was an active member of Hico FFA, and Hico Tiger Athletics. William had a way with words, even as a high school student as he authored hundreds of articles about the current events of the Hico FFA and athletics, his articles were published in the Hico News Review and the Empire Tribune. After graduation, William worked locally and later attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX. William had several very close friendships that began during his time growing up in Hico. Each time he had a conversation with one of these longtime friends he just picked up right where they left off no matter how much time had passed since they last spoke. He kept up with his friends’ current lives and spent time reminiscing about their past, just like it was yesterday. William and his brother began a joint venture in the CATV construction industry in the late 1990’s. He also worked for cable companies and installed satellite TV in his youth. Shortly after, William began to take interest in the Landman profession of the oil and gas industry. He sought advice and guidance from mentors throughout his entire career. Being a Landman was a perfect fit for William; he worked every day but loved his work so much that he never worked at all. Through his career as a Professional Landman, William was able to travel and complete projects all over Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas meeting and growing relationships with landowners and other oil and gas professionals which developed into personal friendships. He humbly passed along his acquired knowledge to others as their mentor. He truly cared about so many of the people he worked with which led him to redirect his career and become “The Landowner’s Landman”. William married Melinda Beth Fillingim on February 1, 1997, licensed in Erath County, TX. As a result of this marriage, William became a step-father to Calvin Douglas Anderson. On November 18, 1997, Beth gave birth to their oldest son, Ethan Riley Geter. A daughter, Myrah Brynne Geter was born on March 25, 1999. Their youngest son, Isaiah Landon Geter, was born on January 3, 2001. Ethan, Myrah and Isaiah were all born in Clifton, Bosque County, TX at the same location and delivered by the same doctor and location where Beth was born. Their marriage dissolved by divorce on September 3, 2003. Geter loved dancing. In May of 2004, on a Thursday night at City Limits in Stephenville, TX William saw Elise and asked her to dance. He laughed about how she stepped back and looked him up and down before saying yes. The song they danced to was “Bartender” by Rehab, not a country song. He almost left the dance floor and said to try another song later. Elise told him to keep dancing and talked the whole time. The last song of every dancehall night was always, “An Empty Glass” by Gary Stewart. After they danced this song and the lights came on, he asked for her number. He called it right then to make sure that it was a real working number. After several months, William wrote Elise a letter and explained about his pride and joy, his kids, giving her the time and choice to become part of their lives. William married Brianna Elise McCown on January 12, 2006 at the Justice of the Peace Office in Stephenville, Erath County, TX. They began building a life together and dedicated everything they had to raising the kids. Growing up, William said that he would never have a farm. However, he and Elise started getting the kids involved in 4-H and showing pigs as soon as they were old enough to show. They bred and raised show pigs for several years enlisting his dad, Billy to help. During stock show season, on March 5, 2009, William and Elise’s daughter Aspen Elise Geter was born in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX. Raising the kids in the livestock/show industry, William made sure his family was able to travel together, make friends and get to explore the USA. Travelling with Geter meant trying restaurants that you couldn’t get at home, stopping at museums or historical places, googling the places that we didn’t have time to stop for, listening to him talk on the phone or jamming to his songs and listening to the radio “RADIO, RADIO”. William loved and cared for his kids, Ethan, Myrah, Isaiah and Aspen, more than anything else in the world. He was 100% invested, their biggest fan and wanted to ensure that they were successful in everything they ever did. His passion for his children often overflowed into the lives of close friends to his kids. Showing pigs, steers, lambs and rabbits; Geter researched, connected with industry elite, experimented/tried all the tips he could find to develop a successful feeding and showmanship program. William’s helpful disposition often entailed sharing his knowledge and experience with his children’s 4-H, FFA and UIL friends and peers. When the kids were involved in football, baseball, pole vaulting, cheerleading, and volleyball he ensured that they had the best available equipment, always traveling to specialized and private coaching. He was extremely proud of their accomplishments in meat judging and creed speaking. He offered instructive criticism with speechwriting and delivery for various occasions, such as, 4-H and FFA officer elections and educational presentations. He joined Aspen and Elise in raising show rabbits and has acquired a whole new set of friendships in the rabbit habit. Most recently he was learning the ropes of being a barrel racing/rodeo dad. Because of his kids William also overcame his fears of being on a cruise ship and flying. Geter loved to cook, grill and smoke pulled pork and brisket. He loved to feed crowds of people and often volunteered to smoke the meat for any event or fundraiser. He enjoyed feeding the football boys for team meals for both the enjoyment of serving a homemade meal and indulging in witty banter and jokes. He also enjoyed varmint hunting, spending time setting up his deer lease and monitoring what was showing up on his trail cams. He truly enjoyed music; live bands, Texas Country, “old school rap”, following YouTube samples from upcoming artists. When he wasn’t busy maintaining and improving his farm/ranch you could find him indoors watching/quoting Tombstone, Fury, The Guardian, The Book of Eli or other movie favorites of his. A get together at Geter’s wouldn’t be complete without a game of 42 with his partner of choice being Aspen. During his lifetime, Geter was a member of the FFA, American Rabbit Breeders Association, American Association of Professional Landmen, Texas Pork Producers, Hamilton County Youth Stock Show Superintendent, Texas Rabbit Breeders Association, American Federation of New Zealand Rabbit Breeders, and the National Californian Rabbit Specialty Club. He supported youth organizations and found joy in helping others grow and develop. William was preceded in death by his brother Billy Frank Geter, Jr. on November 28, 2021 in Olney, Archer County, TX; father Billy Frank Geter, Sr. on January 5, 2021 in Hico, Erath County, TX; his mother Dolores Evelyn Evans Geter Toumbs on May 4, 2013 in Dallas, Dallas County, TX; paternal grandfather William Franklin Geter, in Johnson County, TX on December 24, 1960 and his grandmother Nettie Ruth French Geter in Hamilton, Hamilton County, TX on November 14, 2014; his maternal grandfather Drewery Elliott Dee Evans in Euless, Tarrant County, TX on August 23, 2011; uncles “Johnny” John Morris Geter, Bobbie Edgar Geter and “Willie” William Marshall Throneberry; and friend Rayna Reagan. Lasting impressions: “Geter was a good dude and I will miss him.” “He was a good man and quite the character.” “He will be greatly missed-from random phone conversations to Martin County trips with him…never a dull moment.” “He was a good friend to me. I thought a lot of him, he was a good man.” “That man didn’t know a stranger; very honored to have met him.” “William is one of my oldest friends and has seen me through some pretty rough times.” “He was such a good person and dear friend, and we will miss him terribly. He was a joy to be around and will miss his personality and intelligent mind. We knew that he would take care of any issue we encountered. He has helped our family immensely. He certainly loved his family and busy life.” “I can’t believe you’re gone. You were a good friend. Gonna be hard down here without you bud.” “William was a good friend and he loved his family deeply.” “He was a hell of a man. I liked him very much. I know him as a man that always wanted to help you, I’m going to miss him very much.” “We both thought he was the nicest guy. He helped us tremendously with his intervention on our behalf… we will miss him tremendously.” “He had an infectious laugh and grin that would make the meanest person the happiest. He never met a stranger and would make you feel like he was your best friend. He lived for his wife and kids. He was so happy! Once you met him, you never forgot him.” “He was without question one of the easiest guys to work with and the most intelligent and common sense oriented as well. I never talked to him that he didn’t mention something about his wife or kids.” “…I sure love my Geter.” “Geter has been one of my biggest supporters. I could never tell you how much that means to me.” “I wish I could have seen him more over the years, but he’s my childhood bestfriend. He’s the only person I’ve ever known where no matter how much time went by, we’d just pick up where we left off…easy peasy.” “He had been a loyal friend to me since the first day we met.” “I’m glad William was a big part of my life for several years when I was in school. I’m going to miss him a lot.” “I worked with William (‘Geter’ to all of us) when he was a contractor here, and we stayed in touch ever since. I am shocked and so very sad (and a little angry) to hear of his passing. He was taken far too soon… I wanted to be sure you knew how loved he was and send my deepest condolences…”