Bill Bridger, Jr.

Billie Joe Bridger, Jr., 63, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Bill was born to his parents, Pat and Bill Bridger, on April 8, 1961, in Corpus Christi, Tx. He was the first of three children in a family that had deep roots in the Coastal Bend.

At a very young age, Bill developed a love for fishing. He spent many weekends with his grandparents, affectionately known as Nana and Popo, at their home in Aransas Pass. Bill learned every inch of Aransas Bay while fishing the waters in PoPo’s custom-made wooden skiff. Bill cherished the time he spent on the water with his grandfather and younger brother, Chris. During these formative years, Bill learned life-long hunting and fishing skills and developed a love for the outdoors that continued to flourish throughout his life. Bill’s reputation for knowing how to “put people on the fish” led to several years of professional guiding and eventually the hosting of an outdoor segment on KIII-TV, Channel 3 News in Corpus Christi.

Bill attended Gregory-Portland High School and graduated with the class of 1980. He excelled in both track and football and formed many life-long friendships during those years. He attended Sul Ross State University for a bit before deciding to return to his hometown. Bill eventually followed in the footsteps of his parents and became a licensed independent insurance agent. He helped countless clients, friends and families with health and life insurance, which was in many ways, the perfect career for someone who craved time on the water and time with his children. He shared his love of fishing and hunting with his kids in many tournaments and weekends on the water. In recent years, Bill enjoyed driving a school bus part-time for the Rockport Fulton Independent School District and charter buses for Distance Brothers Transportation Services in Corpus Christi.

Bill is survived by his children; Brandon (Meris), Aaron (Jordan), and Matthew Lovely (Morgan). He will be sadly missed by his young grandchildren; Logan, Hayes, Bruce, Sadie, and his niece; Shelby. His memory will always bring a smile to his brother Chris (Karen) and sister Kim (Casey), Aunt Sharon Buford (Perry), cousin Joel Hoskinson (Barbara) and their daughter, Ally.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Pat and Bill Bridger, paternal grandparents Joe and Sybil Bridger, and maternal grandparents Helen and Tom Mathisen. He was blessed during his life with family and friends who loved and cared for him. His love of telling stories about his children and grandchildren, hunting and fishing escapades, and the shenanigans of his high school buddies was well-known to everyone who got to know him.

Friends are invited to join his family for visitation at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Aransas Pass at 9:00am on Saturday, March 15th with a Memorial Service to follow at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Coastal Conservation Association would help further the cause of preserving maritime resources and anglers’ access to them.