(Seguin) — Family, friends and community leaders will gather this weekend to celebrate the life and legacy of Charles Julius “Charlie” Willmann Sr., a longtime public servant, respected farmer, veteran and civic leader whose influence helped shape Guadalupe County for generations.
The services are now in place for Willmann who passed away on April 25, 2026, at the age of 101. Guadalupe County Judge Kyle Kutscher says a lifelong Seguin resident, he leaves behind a legacy of service that stretched from military duty to county government, agriculture and community leadership.
He says Willmann was the type of leader whose impact extended far beyond the offices he held.
“Charlie Willmann was a great man who had an amazing impact on our community and honestly, generations that will follow. He was a quiet, kind leader, somebody you looked up to, somebody you wanted to be around, somebody you didn’t want to disappoint,” said Kutscher.
Born March 31, 1925, Willmann grew up on his family’s farm in Seguin. After graduating from Seguin High School in 1942 and beginning his studies at Texas A&M College, he paused his education to serve his country during World War II. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943.
Following the war, Willmann returned to Texas A&M, earning his degree in Agricultural Administration in 1946.
Willmann also devoted years of service to Guadalupe County government, serving as Precinct 1 County Commissioner and county judge pro tem. Kutscher says many residents, however, remember him best for stepping forward during a difficult chapter for the county in 2012.
Kutscher says Willmann’s appointment as interim county judge came at a time when the county needed steady leadership and someone focused solely on serving the public.
“He stepped into the interim county judge role in an appointment when our county was in a very difficult time. He was unanimously chosen from two dozen candidates that went through a process of wanting to be appointed as county judge. And he was selected because he was that kind, caring individual that only cared about wanting to help. He didn’t care about politics. He didn’t want to look a certain way. He only wanted to be involved to help and do the right thing,” said Kutscher.
County leaders recognized Willmann’s life and legacy just last year when the Guadalupe County Commissioners Court proclaimed March 25, 2025, as Charles “Charlie” Julius Willmann Sr. 100th Birthday Celebration Day. During that recognition, officials highlighted “his decades of volunteerism, public service and unwavering commitment to the community.”
In addition to public office, Willmann remained an advocate for agriculture, youth education and preserving local traditions.
“He loved talking about agriculture and cattle and pecans and all the things that meant so much to him and education, youth about agriculture and heritage and tradition. But they broke the mold when they made Charlie Willmann. And he’s going to be missed,” said Kutscher.
A Life Service Celebration honoring Charlie Willmann will be held Saturday, June 13, at the Texas Agricultural and Heritage Center’s Big Red Barn. The gathering will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., with remarks scheduled for 2 p.m. The Big Red Barn is located at 250 Cordova Road in Seguin.