Doctor William E. Gonzalez, Colonel, United States Army, Retired

Bill (Memo) graduated from The University of Texas School of Pharmacy and received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School in Galveston, Texas, in 1960.

He joined the U.S. Army with the 8th Special Forces and was stationed in The Republic of Panama in 1961. There he met beloved wife, Magda, in 1963.

After his military service, he returned to San Antonio, where he practiced General Medicine with his dear friend, Dr. Max Morales. Later he worked at a small clinic at Ortiz Pharmacy before opening his own clinic in San Antonio’s West Side. He continued to serve in the United States Army Reserve.

In 1973, he rejoined the U.S. Army. Bill served as a physician in both Fort Bragg, N.C., and Fort Lewis, WA. He specialized in Radiology at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI. Bill served as Chief Radiologist of Professional Services in Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy. He commanded three hospitals at U.S. Army Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC) Fort Devens, MS, MEDDAC Panama and U.S Army South Surgeon, Republic of Panama and MEDDAC Fort Sill, OK. His final tour of duty was as Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Health Services Command at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX.

After a wonderful military career, he retired in Lubbock, Texas in 1994. There, he developed the Prison Health System for Texas Tech University. He “retired” again in 2005, but as he joked, proceeded to “train for retirement” with the UT Prison Health System for two more years.

With the advent of grandchildren, he and Magda moved to Bend, Oregon. Bill was a War Historian, an outdoorsman, book and vinyl-record collector, and believed in the power of mentoring. He had a simple faith imbued by his Grandmother Mama Veva: quiet but powerful.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

He is survived by his wife, Magda; his children, Bill Jr., VADM Yvette Davids, USN, RADM (Retired), Keith Davids, USN, and Lynnette and David Cauble, DMD; his grandchildren, Will, Jack, Sophie, Romi, Kai, and Kiernan; and his nieces and nephew—Billie Diane Cabrera, Yolanda Garza, Sonya Secrest, and Leo Gonzalez—who graced our family for several years.

Holy Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 223 E. Summit Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78212, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026. Following the Mass, interment will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.

Honorary pallbearers will be William E. Gonzalez, Jr, William E. Gonzalez III, RADM (Retired) Keith Davids, USN, Kai Davids, Kiernan Davids, David Cauble, DMD, Jack Cauble, Henry B. Gonzalez, Jr., Henry B. Gonzalez III, Congressman Charles Gonzalez, Daniel Tamez, M.D., and Carlos Martinez Gonzalez.

You may watch the livestreaming of both the Memorial Mass and the Ft. Sam Houston committal service via this link:

https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/mf-fwp/pl/pl_20260109-gonzalez.html