William "Bill" B. Harwerth

William B. “Bill” Harwerth, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully on July 29, 2018 at the age of 92, in Helotes, Texas, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on March 20, 1926 to Ben J. Harwerth and Viola (Brooks) Harwerth. He is preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Ira (Saxon) Harwerth, his wife Hilda (Ortiz) Harwerth, and his grandson, Gunnar Harwerth.

Bill was baptized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in San Antonio on March 22, 1926. His mother became very ill and passed away when he was just 10 years old. His father remarried, and the family soon moved to San Diego, California. He attended junior high and high school there. Bill played football, ran track and played trumpet, and he developed a love for jazz – especially big band jazz. He graduated from San Diego High School in 1944. After graduation, Bill immediately enlisted in the Army (Air Corps) during World War II with designs on becoming a pilot. The war ended before he attained his goal, and he was honorably discharged. He went back to San Diego where he worked and played trumpet in jazz bands on weekends. Being in San Diego also allowed him to hear all the great, big bands of the day. He told stories about seeing bands like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, and his favorite, Stan Kenton, down at the Mission Beach Ballroom. It was around that time, his father, Ben, started “South Texas Roofing and Metal Works” in Laredo, Texas. Bill left California to assist his father with the new business, and Laredo became his home for the next 50+ years. He met the love of his life Hilda Ortiz in Laredo, and on September 10, 1960 they were married. They became parents to 2 boys, Lance and Curt. Bill purchased “South Texas Roofing” from his father in the early 1970s and carried on its reputation for quality work and reliability. Bill was a well-respected member of the Laredo business and construction community. He adored his wife Hilda, and when his beloved was stricken with early onset dementia, Bill shut down his business to care for her. When he could no longer care for her himself, he moved with her to San Antonio to provide for her care and be close to his sons. Bill would live out the rest of his life in the San Antonio area. Bill was a gifted artisan, and a fantastic sheet metal mechanic. He was a sports fan, he enjoyed playing golf, and he loved to cook. He had a quick wit, and a fantastic sense of humor that he maintained throughout his lengthy illness. Most importantly, he was a very good man and a fine example for his sons and grandchildren to follow. Bill will truly be missed.

Memories of Bill will be cherished by: his son Lance Harwerth, wife Patricia, and their children Madeline (Harwerth) Duncan, Hannah, Nathan, and Jessica; Bill’s son Curt Harwerth and wife Irene and their children, Grant, Kirsten, and Griffin; and Bill’s sister Elizabeth Noel Harwerth and her husband Seth Melhado.

The family would also like to thank the wonderful people at Honey’s House of Helotes for their compassionate care. They were like family to Bill, and they treated him with great dignity and respect.

Services with military honors, will be at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209, Shelter 1, on Friday, August 10th at 11:00 a.m