William Brutus Auten

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of William Brutus Auten. Brutus was born September 22, 1945, to parents – Drs. Gladys and John Auten in Corpus Christi, Texas and died May 6, 2026, in Seguin, Texas.

It is hard to believe that we are no longer able to see that gentle guy with the easy rolling walk leaning on a counter assigning nicknames to all; sharing sage advice; telling a joke or playing (and always shuffling) cards; cooking a great Thanksgiving meal or listening to and helping a friend in need.

Even his name – Brutus -- has a story. For the first 21 years of his life, he was called Bill, but that changed soon after he joined the Coast Guard and was assigned to a ship based in Hawaii that had so many Bills aboard that he said, “I’ll go by my middle name, Brutus.” This one decision proved over the years to be a wise one. Yes, each time he introduced himself to a stranger, there could be eyerolls and gales of laughter followed by the question – “And how is Popeye?” Well, people from all over world in the oil and gas industry seemed to have no trouble remembering his name, because often when an issue arose at a site someone would suggest -- “Just call Brutus, get him to come help you!”

After his military service he returned to college and graduated from Texas A&I (Texas A&M, Kingsville). Brutus was a worker and greatly respected others committed to jobs and work. From high school on he always had a job and was an entrepreneur at heart mowing lawns, delivering feed, running a golf course, being a certified firefighter and EMT, or working as a schoolteacher substitute on his days off from the fire station. But his career opportunities sky-rocketed when he was recruited to work for Grant Oil and Tool as a salesman. That job morphed into international work in the oil industry that took him all over the world. He lived first in Houston, then Singapore as he covered the East and Middle East with his friend and business partner, Jimmie Williams, and later based in Los Angeles as he managed service operations in Alaska and the lower 48 while still being called to travel internationally.

There came a time when Brutus was willing to continue servicing Alaska, but he wanted to leave LA and return to Texas. He partnered with George Hendricks to purchased peach and pecan land in Seguin, Texas, and it was there that he met and married the love of his life, Kathi, or Peg as he often called her.

Brutus loved both playing and watching sports. He was blessed with a natural golf swing; had a mean serve that helped earn him and his tennis partner a trip to the State Tennis Tournament; treasured his time as both guard and fullback on the Ingleside Football Team that made its way to the State finals. And, while in Singapore he mastered the game of Squash.

Prior to Brutus’ permanent retirement from traveling, he and Kathi purchased Comanche Crossing – a bar/convenience store in Seguin. Just as in all his jobs, he loved interacting with people; enjoyed opening early; greeting customers and having the opportunity to play cards and cribbage with friends.

Brutus is survived by his wife, Kathi; sister Annette Blaschke; nephew Barrett Blaschke; great- niece Madison Jane (MJ) Blaschke; sister-in-law, Janis Thomas and husband Gary; nephew, Ethan Thomas; God Daughter, Kimberly Williams Johnson; and so many more loving family members and friends around the world.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Comanche Crossing Country Store, 2080 FM 477, Seguin, Texas, 78155. Please bring your best “Brutus Stories” as we look forward to having time with all of you!

If you should choose to honor Brutus’ memory, gifts to Ingleside Exes Scholarship Fund, created by Brutus and his sister, PO Box 7, Ingleside, Texas 78362, or the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center (Red Barn), 250 Cordova Road, Seguin, Tx, 78155, would be greatly appreciated.