William David Stavinoha

William David Stavinoha, MD, 68, of Austin, Texas, returned home to see the face of God on January 13, 2026, following treatment for pancreatic cancer. With faith at his core and humility as his strength, he led a rich life, marked by discipline, integrity, simplicity, humor and a sincere focus on others.

Born in Houston, Texas, on April 21, 1957, “Bill” was the sixth child of Cyril LeRoy Stavinoha and Dorothy Daigle Stavinoha. He grew up in Houston with a close-knit, loving family. He attended St. Anne’s Catholic School, graduated from Lamar High School in 1975 and was a member of the Texas A&M Class of 1979. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1982, where he was a member of Phi Beta Pi Medical Fraternity. His family practice residency began in Fort Worth at John Peter Smith Hospital and concluded in Galveston at UTMB. At each stage, Bill pursued both academic excellence and creative mischief with equal passion, forming friendships that he intentionally nurtured throughout his life.

For over thirty years, Dr. Stavinoha served as a trusted neighborhood family physician in northwest Austin. He treated each patient and their family with personal attention, thoroughness, knowledge, and compassion. Honored to be entrusted with his patients’ health, Bill was grateful his vocation provided him an opportunity to help others. In his office, his own emotive black-and-white photographs graced the exam rooms and his eclectic music filled the air.

Bill loved his family, considering them his greatest blessing. He and Susan shared a joy-filled marriage for 43 years. They raised children, shared a faith, enjoyed active, off-the-beaten-path travel and two-stepping at Garner State Park. Bill was an exceptional and devoted father who loved his three children unconditionally, treating each with respect, entrusting them with responsibility, and leading by quiet example. He once went to a second-hand store and created a realistic Beauty and the Beast costume to accompany Jordan to a father-daughter dance. Special moments included mission trips to Mexico, backpacking in Europe, Aggie Bonfire, college visits, Final Four games, and always celebrating Fourth of July in Leakey, Texas with his large extended family.

Bill cherished connecting one-on-one with his precious grandchildren in the same way he did with adults-- with a calm presence and attention to their unique spirits. His grandchildren especially delighted in “Pop’s” original nighttime stories (complete with chapters), lessons on rock skipping at his beloved Frio River and digging up fossil bones in the local park which had been secretly buried earlier that day.

Bill’s desire to do God’s will informed his every action. His belief in God began with the deep faith of his parents, was nurtured by the Catholic Church, and matured through study, contemplation and fellowship. He was a longtime member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. He taught confirmation and sponsored students. But anyone who knew him recognized that his actions-- his outward example of unwavering inner faith-- spoke louder than his words. A dear friend once said Bill’s life was like a loud sermon.

Chances are you remember Bill Stavinoha for greeting you by name with a presence that made you feel cherished and seen. You may have received an eloquent, succinct note of endearment, wisdom, or encouragement—sometimes with an original limerick or pun. As a patient, you may have been surprised that Bill knew your high school mascot from an obscure town in Texas. As a neighbor, colleague, or family member, you will remember a holiday gift of his original-recipe picante sauce that he canned himself.

Comradery and wit permeated Bill’s life. Just ask his medical school buddies to sing the song they wrote while canoeing the Rio Grande. Bill hosted an annual men’s weekend called BARF—Boys Assembly for Reflection on the Frio. There is even social media evidence of a clever song to commemorate the completion of The Camino in Santiago, Spain. He often made reference to lines from various Monty Python movies.

Bill was a lifelong Astros fan, attending the inaugural game at the Astrodome in 1965 and the winning game of the 2022 World Series. He also had a deep affection for old movies, learning something new every time he watched Casablanca.

The culmination of Bill’s life is reflected in his loving service to a home for children called Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) in central Honduras. For twelve years, he and Susan spent a few months each year as medical volunteers to the children and surrounding community. Being welcomed into this family-- as a physician, man of faith, and friend --felt like heaven on earth. “Dr. Guillermo!” was shouted across the ranch, beckoning a playmate, requesting a check of yesterday’s sutures or offering a lesson on the correct mechanics of using a machete. Carlos, an adult with special needs, shared a deep connection with Bill over the years, often with few words. Bill also had a unique bond with his beloved sponsor child, Luis Pineda.

Bill is survived by his wife, Susan Brown Stavinoha; his son Tyler Stavinoha and his wife Jasmine, and their children Sofia, James, Emerson, and Liam; his daughter Allison Haveman and her husband Darrell, and their children Weston, Nash, and Reid; his daughter Jordan Ward and her husband Alex, and their children Hayes and Parker, as well as a baby boy due in May. Bill will be greatly missed by his sisters Lynn Hoster and her husband Clay, and Becky Oley and her husband Tom; his sisters-in-law Barbara Stavinoha and Wendy Stavinoha; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers J. Barry Stavinoha, Fr. Donald Stavinoha, OMI, and Michael Stavinoha.

Visitation, Rosary, and Remembrance will be held Friday, January 30, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Chapel of the Hills Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, Texas.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 31, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10205 RM 620 North, Austin, Texas. A reception will follow in the parish activity center.

Family burial will take place Monday, February 2 at 1:00 p.m. at Rio Frio Cemetery, Rio Frio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to NPH online at nphusa.org/williamstavinoha/ or by mail at NPH USA, 20 North Whacker Drive Suite 4000, Chicago IL 60606