Bill Monteleone

William “Bill” Attaway Monteleone, Jr. passed away peacefully at home in Houston, surrounded by family on the 28th of October 2011. Bill fought a long and courageous battle against cancer for over 14 years while at the same time living a full, productive and very meaningful life. Bill was a devoted husband, loving father, loyal friend, exceptional businessman, fine gentleman, and a gentle man.

Bill was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on the 20th of December 1951, where he attended Sam Barthe High School and was a fine football player. After high school, he went on to attend Louisiana State University and Loyola University. He grew up working in various positions in the family’s Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans. From 1972 to 1979, he worked as the General Manager, responsible for daily operations and renovations, of the Bienville House Hotel, in the French Quarter. Bill was also General Manager of Texas Flame and Forge. He and Denise Duncan Monteleone married in 1979 and moved to Houston shortly thereafter, where he became Vice President of the Engineering Department of Roberds-Johnson Company for three years before becoming President in 1993. Bill grew Roberds-Johnson into a major drilling rig manufacturer and assembler. He sold the company to National Oilwell in 1998. From 1993 until his death, Bill was the President of Hotel Monteleone.

Bill was a strong advocate for education reforms in both Houston and New Orleans through his support of Project GRAD and Teach for America. In addition, Bill and family were supporters of Vanderbilt University and in 2005 founded the Monteleone Family Scholarship. He was currently serving on the Greater New Orleans Business Council, the Board of Visitors of MD Anderson Cancer Center and a member of World Presidents Organization. Bill was a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Also, Bill led the formation of the Multidisciplinary Research Program at the M.D. Anderson Kidney Cancer Center through the Monteleone Family Fund.

Bill is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Denise Duncan Monteleone; son, William A. Monteleone, III; mother, Ruth A. Monteleone; step-mother, Stephany S. Monteleone; brother, David G. Monteleone and his wife, Greer; sister, Anne Burr and her husband, John; nieces, Christina M. West and her husband, Henry; Caroline Monteleone; Catherine Burr; and nephews, Gibbens Monteleone; Alex Monteleone; Frank J. Monteleone, II and his wife, Kathleen; brother-in-law, Robert M. Duncan and his wife, Dian; and many friends and associates. Bill is preceded in death by his father, William A. Monteleone, Sr.; and brother, Frank C. Monteleone.

The family is grateful to the management and employees of the Monteleone Hotel and Bienville House for their loyal service over many decades. The family is especially thankful for and would like to pay special tribute to Dr. Eric Jonasch, Marcia Holloway, Alycia Hughes and the entire staff of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for the loving care given to Bill and his family.

In Houston, friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 1st of November, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive.

The memorial service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 2nd of November, in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where the Rev. John C. Barksdale is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to a reception with the family in the adjacent Deacon’s Parlor.

In New Orleans, the memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 3rd of November, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Ponchartrain Boulevard. Immediately following, the entombment service is to be conducted at Metairie Cemetery, 5100 Ponchartrain Boulevard.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in William A. Monteleone’s memory may be directed to the Kidney Cancer Research Program, c/o Dr. Eric Jonasch, GU Medical Oncology Unit 1374, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 301439, Houston, Texas 77230-1439.