William Gerritt Demzik Sr.

William (Bill) Gerritt Demzik, passed away Tuesday September 24, 2024. Bill was born February 21, 1935, in Flint Michigan to William Henry Demzik and Marie (Van Wyke) Demzik. He was also a beloved brother of Evelyn Demzik Huszar (Gene) Chitty (Bob) and Pauline Demzik Henderson (Russell). Both Evelyn and Pauline proceeded him in death.

Bill assumed the mantle of responsibility at the early age of 11 when his father passed away and he became the man of the household. This trait of leadership and responsibility would become a hallmark of his long life. He attended high school at Beaumont High School in St. Louis where he met the future Mrs. William G. Demzik and love of his life, Betty Jane Brackmann. Thanks to a shared English class, Bill on crutches from a sports injury and Betty, ready and willing to hold the classroom door open for him, history was to be made. Their marriage spanned 67 years with their latest anniversary just this past July.

Following high school, Bill attended The Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (MSM) at Rolla, Missouri, and 4 years later graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. While at Rolla, Bill joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity ultimately becoming President of the chapter in his senior year. Bill was also in the United States Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) while in school and, following his junior year ROTC summer camp, was promoted to Battalion Commander for the MSM Campus…the 2nd highest rank available for ROTC troops. At the MSM graduation ceremony, Bill simultaneously earned his Civil Engineering degree and his 2nd Lieutenant officer’s commission. Due to a sports injury, he was honorably discharged several months after graduation and instead of serving in the Army, Bill accepted a job with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in their management training program. It was a great decision. He retired 34 years later at the tender age of 56. Bill was not stationary in those 34 years having progressively higher responsibility job postings in St. Louis 3 separate times as well as in Hannibal, MO, Joplin, MO and Moberly, MO. One of his proudest achievements was earning his professional engineering license 25 years after graduating from MSM and never having done any engineering during that 25-year period. He took a 6-month refresher course, passed the test and then promptly ordered his seal so he could emboss any engineering plans with HIS seal.

Bill and Betty also started a family quite early in their marriage, when at 26 years old had a 5-year old, 4-year old, 2-year old and newborn. Vacations were always spent camping, mainly at Dauphin Island, Alabama. The station wagon always full with not only the family, but typically with some of the kid’s friends…as well as 2 dogs and a cat. When they said it was a family vacation, it was the WHOLE family. They also took the grand kids on international trips with them as soon as they were “potty trained’. This included Europe, Central America and the United Kingdom. They would also go on to be a founding member family of Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Florissant, MO. Their focus on family also included caring, in house, for both Bill’s mother in the period prior to her passing as well as having Betty’s mother, Ruth Smith, staying with them for well over a decade.

Bill and Betty loved to travel both domestically and internationally, visiting many of the states as well as 25+ foreign countries. These trips were always enjoyed with either close friends or close family and the stories that are shared from these experiences are epic. The common denominator in all of these trips were good wine, good food, adventure, diving (where it was warm), rental cars/driving stories, and loads of laughs. By far, Bill and Betty’s favorite destination was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They went every year for over 40 years and almost any friend or family member they have had has spent at least 1 week with them at Las Tulas enjoying the sun, the food, the margaritas and their generous hospitality…there was never a stranger in Puerto Vallarta!

Bill enjoyed his +33 years of retirement moving to the Pheonix, AZ, area for 20 years of that time and discovering a whole new pool of friends, food and wine. Their open-door policy to friends and family continued through-out their time in Arizona and they enjoyed hosting many visits from many people. Memorable parties were the annual Cabbage and Corned Beef Dinner for their entire Buckeye neighborhood and the fantastic 80th surprise birthday party for Bill with the whole neighborhood and extended family in attendance as well as a great mariachi band!

Bill lived a full life. During his collegiate and professional life he was a member of numerous service and social fraternities, boards, national professional organizations, neighborhood/community boards, steering committees, etc…he was always interested in making a difference and being involved with the solutions. With most of these affiliations, Bill ended up in some sort of leadership capacity…it was his way.

Bill had a lot of names…Willy, The Monk, Dad, Uncle, Father-in-law, Grandpa, Fraternity Brother, Gardener (vegetables and cacti), Diver (certified rescue and cave), Veteran, Wine Maker, Chef, Baker, Sports Fan, Electrician, Sheet Rocker, Plumber, Fisherman, Real Estate Broker, Kachina and Clock Collector…too numerous to name them all. A close neighbor once sent him a very formal invitation to a Medieval Costume Party and addressed it to him perfectly…”The Master of All Trades and the Tack of None”.

Bill will be missed. He is survived by his Wife, Betty J. (Brackmann) Demzik, Children: William G. Demzik, Jr. (Karyn), Laura (Demzik) Bequette (Jack), Paul T. Demzik (Lisa), Christina (Demzik) Neville (Mark), Nephews/Nieces: David Henderson (Donna), Linda (Henderson) Eggers (Mark), Marsha (Huszar) Denman (Allyn), Brenda Huszar, Grand Children: Khristopher Wangelin, Ryan Neville, Robyn Demzik, Kristyn Demzik, Alysen Demzik (Garrett), Mallory (Demzik) Cole (PJ), Great Grand Children: Shannon Neville. Many additional close family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Louis Shriners Children’s Hospital or the Beta Chi Chapter of Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation (Donate Now | Kappa Sigma at Missouri University of Science & Technology).

Bill’s life was defined by love, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to those around him. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He was, and always will be, a pillar of strength and a guiding light for his family and friends. He leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories, a lasting impact, and a family that loved him dearly.

A Visitation for William will be held Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Kriegshauser Mortuary-West Chapel, 9450 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63132. The Funeral will occur immediately after at the same location followed by The Committal at 1:00 PM at Bellerive Gardens Cemetery, 740 N Mason Rd, St. Louis, MO 63141.