William Rollins Hurt

William Rollins Hurt of Houston, Texas, passed from this life on Wednesday, on the 17th of September 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston at the age of 79. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the 2nd of September 1946, to Col. William Clarence Hurt and Elizabeth Cain Hurt. Bill was an attorney, sports fan, amateur historian, devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend who impacted many lives through his never-ending generosity and kindness.

Bill grew up in a military family with his three brothers traveling the country from one Army base to another. After co-captaining his high school football team, he went on to play college football at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Bill was Judy’s sweetheart, soulmate, and best friend. Bill and Judy met at a festive Christmas gathering in Waynesboro, Mississippi, given by his uncle Harvey Hurt and aunt Stella Hurt. Bill was visiting his grandparents Harvey Hurt Sr. and Rose Hurt in Waynesboro when their paths crossed and lives became lovingly intertwined forever. He finished his last year of undergraduate studies at the University of Mississippi after transferring to be with her. Following their graduation, Bill and Judy married in 1968.

God blessed Bill and Judith with 57 wonderful years of marriage. God gave them a son and daughter, Bill’s pride and joy. He also adored his four granddaughters. He was so proud of each one and had so much fun playing and joking with them. Bill was, more than anything else, a good man. He was kind, funny and the most unselfish person you could meet. Even if he became grouchy about something for a moment, the next minute he would be laughing again.

Bill was a problem solver. He loved history (his undergraduate major) and always wanted to be a lawyer. This ambition led him to earn his law degree from The University of Texas in 1971. Bill began his career with Humble Oil & Refining Co., which was acquired by Standard Oil, later Exxon Company, USA, and finally ExxonMobil. Bill spent his entire legal career with the company until retiring in 2005 and enjoyed it thoroughly. His best friends in life were made through his time with Exxon, and he valued those relationships dearly.

Bill and Judy loved to travel. Maybe it was his love of history, his nomadic upbringing or life with an energy company that instilled such a deep love of seeing and visiting new places. Whatever it was, Bill and Judy loved traveling together and experiencing the magic of discovering the world. Some of their favorite trips included many to the Texas Hill Country, the coast of Maine, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and cruises through the fjords of Norway. College football – whether the Ole Miss Rebels or Texas Longhorns – was another lifelong passion that brought him so much joy (and occasional heartache and frustration!).

In most cases, people just want to find a partner who shares the same values, ambitions, and desires for their respective lives. That was Bill and Judy. They were so alike in so many ways. Many have already been mentioned, but the most important thing they shared was a love of Jesus Christ. Bill is in His loving arms, and we will see each other again.

Bill is preceded in death by his father, Colonel William Clarence Hurt; mother, Elizabeth Cain Hurt; brothers, Dr. Duane Forrest Hurt and John Nesbitt Hurt.

Bill is survived by his wife, Judy West Hurt; son Micah Rollins Hurt (Mandy); daughter Melissa Jane Bradley (Buddy), all of Houston, TX; brother Stephen Michael Hurt (LeAnne) of LaRue, Texas; four granddaughters, Sadie Elisabeth Hurt, Haley Jane Hurt, Sloane Rollins Hurt, and Violet Rebecca Bradley of Houston, Texas; nephews Nathan Hurt of Williston, Florida, Matthew Hurt of Anchorage, Alaska, Jeb Hurt and Trevor Hurt of Austin, Texas; three nieces Loretta Young, Eileen Hurt and Paige Hurt of Palestine, Texas; sisters-in-law, Lisa Hurt of Houston, TX, and Sandy Hurt of Greenwood, MS; and many beloved cousins, and dear friends.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half past eleven o’clock in the morning until half past one o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 3rd of October, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The family will gather for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the ASPCA, Samaritan’s Purse or the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, all causes close to Bill’s heart, by clicking on the links below under “Donations."