Christmas morning of 2017, Ashley Wayne Pirkle was called home by the Savior he had decided to follow almost 60 years before. Ashley was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Gonzales. He was born in Gonzales, Texas on August 7, 1948 to Stephen O. Pirkle, Sr. and Alice Dove Pirkle and grew up attending First Baptist Church. He graduated from Gonzales High School in 1966 and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1971 from Southwest Texas State University, where he was a member of the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi. Ashley enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in December in 1967, served in the Reserves and received an honorable discharge in 1973. He served his community as an active member of the Evening Lions Club of Gonzales for many years. His accounting career spanned 45 years during which he received his CPA certificate in February, 1975 and was a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. In public practice, he was dedicated to serving many dear and valued clients; he enjoyed their friendship and respect and he learned from them as well. An author, Dr. Atul Gawande, in his book Being Mortal, discussing the satisfaction of attaining competence in one's profession stated, It comes partly from being helpful to others. But it also comes from being technically skilled and able to solve difficult, intricate problems...nothing is more threatening to who you think you are than ...a problem you cannot solve. Likewise, Ashley's principles required him to know he had been thorough, accurate and achieved the most beneficial solutions to his client's problems. He was preceded in death by his father Stephen O. Pirkle, Sr. and a sister Charlotte Doran of Bastrop He is survived by his mother, Alice Pirkle, and wife of 26 years, Sharon Hutchison Pirkle, both of Gonzales. Also surviving are three married daughters and their families: Tracey and John Zientek and Jaclyn and Abigail of Sealy; Sally and Andy Basche and Bethany and Nathan of Taylor; Megan and Corey Hackworth and Annabelle, Asher and Saoirse of Waco. Surviving siblings are Betty Wootton of Gonzales, Alice Elizabeth Ray of Manor, Sandra Stewart and husband Billy of Rusk, and Steve and wife Beverly Pirkle of Gonzales. A large family of cousins, nieces and nephews remain to cherish his memory. Memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, First United Methodist Church of Gonzales or ones charity of choice. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday evening. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Pennington officiating. Interment will follow in Gonzales Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers: Kenny Brzozowski, Preston Wayne DuBose, Tom Lester, Dan Nelson, Leslie Ray Pirkle, and Thomas Pirkle. Friends may sign the guestbook by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family of Ashley Wayne Pirkle, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.