William E. Creel (Bill),91, of Cypress, Texas died Saturday, January 6, 2024 surrounded by family at the HCA Houston Hospital in Tomball, Texas. Born April 10, 1932 in Central City, he grew up on Kinchloe Bluff overlooking the Green River in Central City. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BS Civil Engineering in December of 1954, and married fellow graduate Rosemary Tate immediately after her graduation in 1955. He and Rosemary were school mates starting in grade school, dated in high school, and made a good team for 60 years of marriage until her death in 2015.
Bill began his career as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force serving at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio. One of his favorite career stops was as Base Civil Engineer with the Indiana Air National Guard based in Terre Haute, Indiana. Later, he was Head of Construction and Maintenance for the St. Joseph Hospital in Houston. He finished his career at Smith Kline, based in St. Louis.
In retirement, he managed the design and construction of a new home for the West End Church of Christ in St. Charles, Missouri. He was a registered professional engineer and registered surveyor.
Bill had a kind face with twinkling eyes, warm smile, and a hearty laugh. He was a natural leader and made lifelong friends. He was a gregarious fellow and enjoyed Men’s Bible Study group at the Jersey Village Church of Christ. He told fond stories of playing baseball with the River Rats as a teenager in Central City. He enjoyed playing and coaching baseball and basketball while in the service. Bill was a lifelong ardent supporter of the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter S. and Martha Louise Creel, his brother Benjamin B. Creel, and his wife of 60 years, Rosemary T. Creel.
Survivors include four children Steven E. Creel (Brenda), Marta L. Anderson, Barry L. Creel (Pattie), and Susan E. Hoza (Steve); 10 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at the Jersey Village Church of Christ on January 12 at 11:00 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston. Evening visitation at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home will be held on January 11, from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Building Fund and/or Missionary Fund at Jersey Village Church of Christ.
