William D. Kendall

William Doyle Kendall, born in Shattuck, Oklahoma on the 17th of March, 1942, died peacefully in Houston, his home of almost 50 years, on Monday, the 25th of February 2013 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. His wife, Sharon and his children Gaylynn and Allison were at his side. Bill grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas before serving in the US Army. Bill discovered his love for design at an early age. In 1966, Bill earned a Bachelor of Science degree and in 1967 a Bachelor of Architecture degree Cum Laude from the University of Houston where he received the Alpha Rho Chi Medal. He received his Master of Architecture degree in March, 1970, from Rice University in Houston.

After working at several firms during his college years, Bill joined S.I. Morris Associates in Houston in 1968, where he became a partner in 1973. In 1978, he co-founded Kendall/Heaton Associates. Bill served as President of his firm and led it to its unique position as one of the nation’s most prolific collaborative associate architectural practices for high profile developments until his death. During his long tenure, the firm was associated with twenty-eight world-class architects on diverse projects including over 100 corporate headquarters, office buildings, cultural and institutional, educational and religious buildings and adaptive renovations in 20 states, Canada, Mexico and Spain. With a passion for quality, discipline and service, Bill and the firm have won numerous national and local awards. Notable projects in Houston include Bank of America Center, Houston Industries Plaza, BG Group and his alma maters, the University of Houston Athletic Alumni Center and Science and Engineering Building and Duncan Hall and Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. At Second Baptist Church, Bill directed the Jane Elder Building Expansion and renovations to the Worship Center following Hurricane Ike. In 2004, Kendall/Heaton Associates was named Firm of the Year by the AIA Houston Chapter. Bill mentored many architects both in the firm and former employees now working throughout the United States. In 1995, at the age of 53, Bill was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects for excellence in practice and service to his profession. He was honored as Distinguished Alumnus in 2008 by University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture. He served on the Board of Directors for AIA Houston, University of Houston Architecture Alumni Association and the Rice Design Alliance.

Bill was a member and deacon of Second Baptist Church. Bill is predeceased by his parents, Paul E. Kendall and Nancy Merle Kendall and his brother Noel Francis. He is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years. Sharon Coalson Kendall, his daughter Gaylynn Quinn and her husband Gene of Gainesville, Florida and her children, Bryce Edwards and Lauren Edwards; his daughter, Allison Smith and her husband Jamie of Virginia Beach, Virginia and their children, Morgan Smith, Cole Smith and Mallory Smith; by his brother George E. Kendall and his wife Patsy of Gilmer, TX and their children and families; by his brother Robert L. Kendall and his wife Marilynn of Houston, TX and their children and families; by his brother Dr. James A. Kendall and his wife Becky of Denton, TX and their children and his families. Bill’s family wishes to thank the extraordinary medical team at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Houston Hospice for their compassionate care.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock on Wednesday the 27th of February at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway in Houston.

A memorial Service is to be conducted at 11 o’clock in the Sanctuary on Thursday the 28th of February, 2013, at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Deacon’s Parlor.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family wishes that those desiring to direct donations in Bill’s memory to the Society for Melanoma Research, c/o Site Solutions Worldwide, P.O. Box 215, Burnt Hills, NY 12027 or Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030.