Bill Schouten

William Dean “Bill” Schouten of Spring, Texas, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of 86.

Bill was born on September 28, 1939, in Piedmont, Kansas, the son of Alfred Ernest and Lena Mae (Newport) Schouten. He was raised in Piedmont and graduated from Piedmont High School. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Washington State.

It was in Washington that he met the love of his life, Roberta Lee Thoren. They were united in marriage on October 24, 1964. The couple lived in Piedmont for a short time, where Bill ran Charlie's Cafe and Truck Stop, at 400 and P Rd., at night while Roberta worked at the café. Together, they eventually moved to the Houston area to raise their two sons.

After his military discharge, Bill served with the Kansas Highway Patrol. He later began a career with Harris County, where he served in various capacities over a 35-year tenure. He retired in 2002 as the Chief Deputy County Clerk—the highest unelected position in the office.

Bill’s retirement was a true season of rest. While he didn't pursue many formal hobbies, he took great interest in current events and, as with many men of his generation, he would occasionally have his complaints about the state of the world. He enjoyed woodworking and traveling with Roberta; the two shared a special fondness for trips to Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming. Bill and Roberta also shared an overwhelming love for animals in need and held a particular appreciation for moose.

Above all, he cherished time spent with his grandchildren. He will be remembered as a steady, fatherly figure to many—a man of few words but great weight, whose respect was earned through consistency and whose love was felt through his presence.

He is survived by his sons, Brent Schouten and wife, Patty of Conroe, Texas, and Bryan Schouten and wife, Sara of Spring, Texas; six grandchildren: Kylee, Aislynn, Rheanna, Brad, Megan, and Jessica; and eleven great-grandchildren: Madison, Brooklyn, Emma, Sawyer, Braxton, Jaxon, Ally, Taylen, William, Lylah, and Harper. He is also survived by his brother, Lee Schouten of Piedmont, and his sister-in-law, JoAnn Bell of Pearland, Texas. Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Roberta, on November 18, 2022. He was also preceded in death by his parents and three sisters: Pauline Ferry, Louise Lassley, and Barbara Dean.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Klein Funeral Home in Tomball, Texas. Graveside services will follow at 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 16, 2026, at Piedmont Cemetery in Piedmont, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2712. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online at koupfunerals.com or kleinfh.com.