Dorothy Wilcoxen “Willy”Hempel, 89, of Galveston, passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2010, in Angleton, TX. She was born August 12, 1921, at home in Pointsville, New Jersey, to Glady Ritz Wilcoxen and T.G. Wilcoxen, who died when Willy was 11 years old. She worked as a registered nurse for UTMB Galveston, served as a school nurse at St. Patrick’s School, and then was a supervisor in Central Service at St. Mary’s Hospital for 10 years before retiring in 1975. Willy was a member of the Texas State Board of Nursing and took part in the rescue of Texas City disaster victims. She loved bowling, traveling with her husband and friends, and doing volunteer work at Moody Gardens. When Willy’s husband was alive, they were active with the El Mina Shriners. Willy was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Willy was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 61 years, Fredrick Ernst Hempel. She is survived by her sons, Fredrick W. Hempel and wife, Glynn; and Donald J. Hempel and wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Hempel Arbequst; grandchildren: Rick Hempel and wife, Kim; Trevor Hempel; Carli Hempel; Steve Hempel; and Mandy Bookter and husband, Shawn; great grandchildren: Steven, Michael, Ryan, Jack, and Libby Hempel and Megan and Caroline Bookter; niece, Sylvia Prendergast and husband, Charles; great niece, Alice Lowery and husband, Lane; 2 great great nephews and 1 great great niece.

Willy’s family will receive visitors from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, Monday, December 6th, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 11:00 am, Tuesday, December 7th, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home with Pastor Barrett Ingram officiating. Burial will follow at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock.

Pallbearers will be Rick Hempel, Trevor Hempel, Steve Hempel, Shawn Bookter, Charles Prendergast, and Lane Lowery. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Grossman, Eddie Norris, Ed Evans, and Ed Garner.

Memorials may be made to A-Med Hospice Care or to the Alzheimer’s Association Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter.