Billy Rex McNeese

Billy Rex McNeese, ‘Bill’, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Friday, 2/9/2024 at the age of 89. He was born on June 18, 1934 in Logan, Panola County, Texas where he grew up in the Piney Woods of East Texas. One can only imagine this little boy running barefoot in the fields, helping with chores, fishing in the creeks and roaming the woods pretending to have all kinds of adventures.

Bill graduated from Pasadena High School where he was an avid Basketball Player, then went on to work as an operator at Diamond Alkali Company. It is here that the engineering bug must have bit him because in 1958 he enrolled in Lee College in Baytown to begin his pre-engineering work towards his degree to become a Chemical Engineer. He then served in the U.S. Army, beginning Boot Camp at Fort Hood then eventually shipped off to Germany. After finishing his tour of duty he returned home and back to school to finish the degree he had started. He attended the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering and was awarded a Charter Member of Tau Beta Pi ranked in the top 5th of his Graduating Class. He also attended Houston Baptist University where he attained his MBA later in his working career.

Bill worked as a Chemical Engineer in the Houston area for his entire career as Plant/Operations Manager, Utilities and Production Superintendent, Project Manager, Director of Manufacturing and VP of Operations for companies including Sinclair/ARCO/Paktank and TPC.

Bill met the love of his life, Gail, in 1956. They were married two years later on June 7, 1958. Bill and Gail could not wait to start a family of their own, and their 3 children meant the world to them. Their loving and caring relationship lasted for 65 years.

He was actively involved in Methodist Churches from North Shore/League City and Kingwood. He and Gail were also very active in the UofH Alumni Organization and Century Club, sponsoring Engineering Students with Scholarships and were Recognized as LIFE Members for their Philanthropy and Support. Served on the Board of Directors at UofH Cullen College of Engineering.

He is preceded in death by his Parents: H.O. and Louie McNeese: Brother and Sister-in-Law: Wayne and Shirley McNeese; Sister and Brother-in-Law: Vencie and Don Hill: Brother-in-Law: Bill Watson: Sister-In-Law and Brother-in-Law: Susie and Coy Cody; Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law: Lawrence and Marie Renfro and Sister-in-Law, Evelyn Renfro. Brother and Sister-in-Law: Bill and Joann Renfro.

Bill is survived by his Wife, Geneva Gail McNeese: Daughter, Sharla Watkins: Son, Bobby R. McNeese and Daughter and Son-in-Law, Sharon and Marko Mews. Grandsons: Jared Watkins and Wife Brittney, and Connor Gaines. Granddaughter: Tessa Holzworth and Husband Andy Holzworth. Great-Grandchildren: Trinity Holzworth, Maddox Holzworth, Ayce Watkins and Hartley Watkins. Also, numerous nieces and nephews that are all a very integral part of his and his family’s Life and Memories.

The family would like to thank AmareVida for their compassionate care they showed our loved one in his final days: Ryan, Cheyenne, Andrew, and Caleb. To also include other special caregivers Lexi and Debra.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration Service at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston,Texas, 77023 on Monday, February 19, 2024 at Noon. Visitation with the family will begin at 11am. Held in The Grand Chapel. Committal to follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery at 1pm, and will be immediately followed with a Reception in the Magnolia Suite.

"Those we LOVE don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear."