KENNETH JAMES VETTERS
September 11, 1937 - March 3, 2021
Ken died peacefully at home, surrounded by Covid-vaccinated family, after a dramatically short illness preceded by a long fight against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Ken was born in San Antonio, Texas, to Harvey Edward Vetters and Anna Ambrosia Hill, and was raised by a loving extended family, led by his grandmother, Maude Vetters. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1956 and married Frances Gilliland in 1958, by which time he was already working at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Ken always loved sports, playing baseball until, as a teenager, he sustained a traumatic leg injury while guarding first base, ending his dreams of college athletics. He found solace in golf, which he pursued avidly until four years ago, when IPF took its toll. He was proud to have played at world renowned courses, including St. Andrews in Scotland, and he qualified for city and regional tournaments in St. Louis and San Antonio. Ken loved his work at Southwestern Bell, where he started as a mailboy and ended his career in charge of health and benefits in five states. In the 1980s, Ken chaired the company’s AIDS Awareness Task Force, which developed an employee education program that became a nationwide model for companies seeking to address the reality of AIDS in the workplace. After 35 years with “the company,” in Texas, Missouri and New Jersey, Ken retired at age 55. A few years later he took up cooking and made delicious feasts for family and friends. He worked at golf courses in three states, last at the Tournament Players Club in San Antonio.
Ken could fix anything, and would show up at his family’s homes with a toolbox (and often a power washer) whenever he came for a visit. Ken loved a smooth green lawn, a good spy movie and well-dressed grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Terry and Beryl Vetters, his beloved aunt Helen Vetters, and in-laws, Marie (née Dullnig) and Ralph Gilliland. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances, his daughter Terry Jo Bichell (husband David), his son Ralph Vetters (husband Bryan Simmons), his grandchildren Beth Hochman (Frank Curtis), Rae Ellen Bichell (Alessandro Franchin), Lena Marie Bichell (Chris Dienst), Rosa Lee Bichell, Lou Bichell, and great-grandson Elio Franchin. He is also survived by sister-in-law Marie Catherine Vetters (Gilliland), who is both his wife’s sister and his brother Terry’s widow, their children, Terry Vetters Jr. (Michelle), Mary Ellen Hoberg (Paul), Sarah Catherine Vetters, and their children Julia Giddings (Matthew), Taylor Morris (Austin), Leah Vetters, Mar Hoberg, Charles Hoberg, and great-great-nephew Neil Morris. He is also survived by his siblings, Sharon Dunnam (Ernie), Beverly Leisering, Pamela Vetters, Sally Vetters (widow of Beryl), Randall Vetters (Sharon).
Though he didn’t appreciate cats until his later years, Ken himself had nine lives, and has finally spent them all. In light of COVID, a celebration of Ken’s life will be held at a later date. Contact tjvbichell@gmail.com for details. In lieu of flowers, please remember Ken with contributions to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. Online condolences may be sent to the family through legacy.com.