William George Messer

He was born May 8, 1941, in Washington, D.C., the son of William Edward Messer and Helen Hutchinson. Bill graduated Gonzaga High School and attended Georgetown University, where he received a B.A. in history in 1963.

After graduating, Bill joined the Navy, where he was proud to serve as a communications officer aboard the USS Wright, a mobile command post afloat for top commanders for direction of worldwide military operations. Following his Navy years, Bill moved to Texas and joined First City National Bank, once Houston's largest banking institution, at their Houston headquarters. He rose to senior vice president and managed the securities and investments division.

In Houston Bill met Cornellia Orsak, the love of his life, whom he married in 1970. Cornellia and Bill lived in west Houston, where they raised two children, Douglas and Jennifer.

After nearly two decades at First City, Bill helped found Texas operations of the Convenience Company. In 1998 Bill and Cornellia moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where they continued to grow the company until their retirement in 2003. They retired to Galveston, Texas, where they enjoyed fishing, crabbing, and boating, before moving to Austin to be closer to their family.

Bill was a devoted husband and father, and a father-figure to many. He was a man of unwavering faith and personal integrity. Bill was also a history buff, a baseball fan, and a World War II movie enthusiast. He loved to spend time with family and friends and always enjoyed a lively debate around the dinner table.

Bill will be remembered as a man who loved his God, his country, and his family. He will be greatly missed.

Bill is survived by his wife of 43 years, Cornellia, children: Douglas Messer and his wife, Laura, of Austin; Jennifer Garraway and her husband David, of Austin; grandchildren: Megan Messer, Emily Messer, and William Garraway; his sister Helen Watkinson, and her children: Thomas Watkinson, Jr., Edward Watkinson, and Carlyn McGreal.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen Messer; his cousin, James Messer; and his son, Timothy Messer.

A rosary service will be held Friday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohmans Crossing in Lakeway, Texas. The funeral mass will be Saturday, August 24 at 2:00 p.m. at Emmaus Catholic Church. A private burial will take place Sunday.

Flowers may be sent to Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to one of Bill's favorite charities, the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.