William Murray Mathis

William Murray Mathis passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2016 after a lengthy struggle with Lewy Body Disease. He was 67 years old. Born September 15, 1949 in Houston, TX, Bill was the second son of Robert Lee Mathis, MD and Marion Roche Mathis. He graduated from Bellaire High School in 1967 and attended the University of Houston and the University of Hawaii. He received early admission to the University of Texas, Dental Branch in Houston at the age of 19, and graduated with his DDS in 1973. He then served in the Navy in Puerto Rico, Port Hueneme, CA, and Diego Garcia while attached to the Navy Seabees. He was honorably discharged in 1975 and set up his dental practice in Houston.

In 1976, Bill married Marilyn Ward at St. Therese Catholic Church in Alhambra, CA, and began married life in Houston where they have been long-time members of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church. Bill was active in Boy Scout Troop 642, served as President of the Houston Underwater Club, and the Bunker Hill West Civic Association. Bill was very proud of his three children who were the crowning achievement of his life: William Jr. and wife Christina, children Ella, Liam, and James of Virginia Beach, VA; Erin Mathis Tulley, husband Jason, and children Edward, Fiona, and Ian of Danville, CA, and Edward Mathis of Austin, TX. He is survived by his mother, Marion Roche Mathis, brothers Robert Mathis and his wife Judy, and John Mathis, wife Jackie and their children Katherine and Stephen Mathis.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Coastal Conservation Association of Texas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated December 9, 2016, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, TX 77024, with a reception to follow in the Community Center at the church. The Rite of Committal and Military Graveside services will follow at Houston National Cemetery.