Services for William Bernard Kurz, Jr. (Bill) age 85 of Palestine will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Congregational Methodist Church in Elkhart with Rev. David Franklin officiating. Burial will follow in Guiceland Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster.. Mr. Kurz died Wednesday at the David E. Foster Hospice Unit at Palestine Regional Medical Center. He was born Dec.16, 1928 in Freeport, Illinois. to William Bernard Kurz and Helen Hirst Kurz. He served in the US Navy during WWII and graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. with his BS in 1952. Mr. Kurz served as constable, judge, and mayor of El Lago, Texas. He was also assistant supervisor of industrial relations at MSC at Northrop and retired from NASA in 1979. Mr. Kurz was an active member of various churches, served as an Elder and was in the choir, he helped start a new church in Seabrook, Texas and was a member of Southside Baptist Church. He loved hunting, fishing, his ranch, and gardening.. Mr. Kurz was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty J. Kurz , a sister Francis Marian Kurz. He is survived by his children, David W. Kurz and wife Pam, Ralph W. Kurz and wife Joni, Kim H. Schrader and husband Mark, Barbara L. Marcum and husband Michael, grandchildren, David C. Gochnour, Daniel M. Gochnour, Kelly R. Kurz, Jessica E. Klonaris, Justin, Kurz, Michael L. Kurz, Jacqueline A. Kurz, Jason A. Gochnour and Jenny R. Stevens, 24 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild and special friend Wanda E. Franklin.. Condolence calls will be received from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home. To view online leave condolences or sign the guest book go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com