William Walter Louis Riebe

William Walter Louis Riebe passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024. He was born on August 28, 1934 to Gordon Albert Riebe, a prominent funeral director, and Anna Marie Pavelka Riebe. With the exception of the last two years of his life, William was a lifelong resident of San Antonio. A devout Catholic, he graduated from Central Catholic High School and St. Mary’s University.

William met the love of his life, Betty Schumann Riebe, at a Hermann & Sons dance. They were married on August 20, 1960 at St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City, Texas. Together, they had two sons, Norman Herbert Riebe and Keith Gordon Riebe. William loved and cared for his family dearly. He taught his sons many skills that carried them far in their lives and contributed to their success. The family enjoyed many good times at the farm and vacationing at Port Aransas.

William served in the United States Army at Fort Bliss, Texas. In 1958, he was employed by Mason & Hanger - Silas Mason Company, an Atomic Energy Commission contractor at Medina Base, San Antonio. William’s attention to detail and documentation of inspection procedures quickly led to his promotion. He remained in the employment of Mason & Hanger until 1964, when the AEC decided to relocate operations to Amarillo, Texas. William was then employed by Keuffel & Esser Co., and held managerial responsibilities associated with the manufacture of micrographic and photogrammetric equipment. In 1985, he and business partner Ray Kelsey bought the production rights of several pieces of equipment, and went into business for themselves, operating as Riebe-Kelsey Inc.

William was a member of the San Antonio Liederkranz, an all-male choir that was formed130 years ago at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in downtown San Antonio. He was also a member of the St. Joseph Society, the Order of Alhambra, the Knights of Columbus, and the Alamo Heights Rotary Club.

William is preceded in death by his parents, son Norman Riebe, sister Barbara Joan Travis and husband Lon Travis, brothers-in-law Lawrence Keller Jr and Elroy Dierks.

William is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years Betty Schumann Riebe, sister Beverly Keller, and sister-in-law Myrtle Dierks. He is also survived by his son Keith Riebe and wife Kim; daughter-in-law Sylvia Pitchford; granddaughters Margaret Riebe and Allison Riebe; nieces Maureen Isbell, Joan Johnson and husband Max; nephews Eldor Dierks, Lawrence Keller III and wife Jackie, Martin Keller and wife Heather, Andrew Keller and wife Brenda; great nieces and nephews Megan Isbell, SFC (Ret.) William McMunn, Jordan Frantzen, Tyler and Jacob Johnson, Angeles, Mikayla and Mikenzie Keller.

RosaryFriday, March 15, 20249:30 AMHoly Spirit Catholic Church8134 Blanco Road San Antonio, TX 78216

MassFriday, March 15, 202410:00 AMHoly Spirit Catholic Church8134 Blanco RoadSan Antonio, TX 78216

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to Boysville, a children’s home in Converse, Texas, or a charity of your choice.