Joe Henry “Joe Bill” Kahla, 92, of Port Bolivar, TX, currently residing in Jasper, TX, died at his home on Sunday, January 15, 2017. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Port Bolivar, with interment to follow at the Port Bolivar Community Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Broussard's Mortuary in Winnie, TX from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
A native and long time resident of Port Bolivar, Joe Henry Kahla was born on November 11, 1924 to William Henry & Bertha Killingsworth Kahla. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II & Korean Conflict as a paratrooper. Joe Bill’s first priority was always his family whether it was as husband, dad, grandpa, or great-grandpa. A loving husband and father, he served on the school board, city council and 4-H leader in Port Bolivar.
His business endeavors included farming, fishing, shrimping, ranching, construction and real estate development. He designed and built the first boat house in Port Bolivar that allowed owners to lift boats out of the water. Joe Bill is responsible for developing a large part of the Bolivar Peninsula, including fishing piers, subdivisions, RV parks, and bait camps. His last development, while in his 80’s, was the Log Cabin RV park in Jasper, TX.
He is survived by his wife of five years Shirley Guidry Kahla of Jasper; a sister Dorris Mae Cade & husband M.C. of Conroe; daughter Jo Ann Stanley & husband Glenn of Vidor; daughter-in-law’s Lee Ellen Kahla of Jasper, and Kay Novak of Flatonia; a brother-in-law Billy Seago of Jasper; a sister-in-law Wilma Schoenrock & husband James of Mesquite; and daughter Johnette Bouse & husband Charles Ray of Jasper. He is also survived by his grandchildren Melissa & Ryan Raley of Brenham, Charlotte & Cody Odom, Joe Glenn & Karen Kahla, and Jodi & Bill Morian, Jr. of Jasper; Tony & Angie Stanley of Silsbee, Adam Stanley of Grapevine, Greg & LaNita Stanley of Vidor, Dusty Hughes of Port Bolivar, and Colt Hughes of Winnie, Texas. His great grandchildren are: Cooper, Marci, Wyatt, Harley, Jake, Jack, Billy, Matt, Sydni, Cherie, Andrea, Austin, Brenna, Colby, Haley, and Christian. He is preceded in death by his first wife of 68 years Anna Clara Mohr Kahla, sons Glenn Ray Kahla and John W. Kahla, DVM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department, 1806 Broadway Street, Port Bolivar, Texas 77650. Condolences can be posted at www.shultzfuneralhomeofjasper.com or on Facebook at Shultz Funeral Home of Jasper.
