Sammie Louis Bruce

Sammie Louis Bruce, 97, of Junction, Texas, passed peacefully from this life to his eternal life with the Lord on January 25, 2023, at his home.

Visitation will be held at Kimble Funeral Home in Junction on Tuesday, January 31, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 1, at 2:00 p.m, LOCATION CHANGED TO KIMBLE FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL; with Daniel Henderson officiating. GRAVESIDE SERVICES HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR 2:00 PM, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023 AT JUNCTION CITY CEMETERY.

Sammie was born in Junction, Texas, at his family home on April 8, 1925, to James Louis Bruce and Paulina Self Bruce. His home, at the time of his birth, was located on the grounds of 1 Faith Community Church. An endearing account of his birth is one worthy of remembrance. When his mother was in labor, Sammie’s father was working across HWY 377 South. His aunt, who was with them, fired a rifle toward the hills so that the father could hear the echo and get to the house in time for the birth of his child.

Sammie’s family moved to Mason, Texas, when he was an infant. He attended first grade in Mason. The family then moved to Brady, Texas, where Sammie attended second grade through part of fifth grade and then moved to Christoval, Texas, where he finished fifth grade. The family then moved to Sonora, Texas, where they lived until Sammie was 15 years old. They then moved to Junction, Texas, where Sammie attended Junction High School and eventually made his home there and raised his family. He dearly loved Junction.

At the age of 18, Sammie was drafted into the U.S. Army on July 15, 1943. He served 2-1/2 years in the army, with 18 months of combat. He received numerous medals of honor for service and bravery. Mr. Bruce was a machine gunner with rank of PFC.

Basic training was at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He was shipped to Fort Ord, California, for a few days and was then shipped to Seattle, Washington. He became seriously ill with pneumonia and was hospitalized for weeks, so he missed going with his original unit. He was then assigned to the 233 Combat Engineer Battalion. He trained in Oahu, Hawaii, in jungle training for three months. After that, he was shipped to combat in the 77 th Infantry Division.

His army career took him to Guam, to Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands, to Leyte in the Philippines, where he endured his heaviest fighting, and then to Okinawa. After that he went to Kuri Base in Japan, rode a train to the middle of Japan and boarded a ship back to Seattle, Washington, and finally rode a train to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He was honorably discharged on January 10, 1946.

At the time of his death, he was the oldest living WWII veteran in Kimble County. He was honored with a parade on his 97 th birthday with all departments of Kimble County law enforcement attending and many friends and citizens in Kimble County. His dear friend, Ron Fuquay and family organized the parade.

After returning to Junction, Sammie married the love of his life, Ella Mae (Maisie) Hull, on September 15, 1946. They were married for almost 65 years until her death on January 19, 2011.

Mr. Bruce was active in the community. He served as a Kimble County Commissioner for 12 years from 1969-1991. He was a member of the Rotary Club for 10 years and served as president of the club for one year.

Sammie’s employment began at an early age. When he was five years old, he was responsible at his home for chopping wood and getting the fire going in the home in order that the house was warm and the stove was ready for cooking. In his adult life, he owned a drilling business and drilled many wells and built many fences that are still in operation in Kimble County. He owned and operated Kimble Motel in Junction for 27 years. He owned and operated two service stations and briefly owned and operated restaurants. In his younger life, he was a trucker hauling livestock.

Mr. Bruce was preceded in death by his precious wife, Maisie Bruce; by his parents James Louis Bruce and Paulina Self Bruce; his beloved son Louis Bruce and wife Lillian; his sisters, Edith Burt and Helen Broyles; his brothers, Billy Bruce and Gordon Bruce; two nieces, Carla White and Tammy Bruce; and three nephews, Sammie Lee Holland, Gordon Bruce, Jr., and Andy Bruce.

Sammie is survived by his daughters, Paula Bruce of Junction, Lynn and husband Ron Benningfield of Goldthwaite, and Sammie and husband Michael Van Winkle of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his grandchildren, Lance Schultz and wife Holly of Huntsville, Bruce Schultz and wife Lacy of Granger, Indiana, Lori Purser and husband Jonathan of Georgetown, Holly Harrison of Georgetown, Zachary Van Winkle and wife Michelle of Austin, Joshua Van Winkle of Lubbock, and Jennifer Vachon and husband Mark of San Antonio; great-grandchildren Dakyrii Schultz of Junction, Grayson Schultz of Huntsville, Jayden Rogers, Lance Jordan Schultz, Bryce Schultz, and Victoria Schultz of Granger, Indiana, Samuel Purser of Georgetown, Mary Purser of Georgetown, Emma Harrison of Austin, Travis and Olivia Duke of Floresville, and Mark and Jacob Vachon of San Antonio. He is also survived by numerous beloved nieces and nephews and one special brother-in-law James Broyles of San Angelo.

Memorials may be given to Kimble County Meals On Wheels, Texas Right to Life, National Right to Life, any animal rescue organization or any organization of your choice.

Sammie was an attentive and loving husband, father, and friend and will be greatly missed by all. We give tribute and honor to a life well lived.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kimble Funeral Home (325) 446-3076