Florian William Piwetz

Florian William “Pete” Piwetz, along with his twin brother Frank, was born on the 27th of February 1922, to William Emil and Ludmilla (Marek) Piwetz in Fayetteville, Texas and he passed from this life on Friday, the 7th of February 2014. He attended Fayetteville schools, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps after graduating high school.

Dad became an air engineer-gunner for the B-26 Martin Marauder in the 397th Medium Bombardment group of the 9th Air Force. In early 1945, Dad completed his air tour of duty of 65 combat bombing missions over France and Germany, and was honorably discharged on the 23rd of June 1945.

After discharge, he earned a degree in industrial engineering at the University of Houston and worked at Brown & Root for 32 years, retiring as Senior Project Manager.

Dad was a charter member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, KJT 121 and the Knights of Columbus Chapter 4550. Mom and Dad were active in the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Slavic Heritage Festival, and Dad served as Czech Chairman from 1966-1982, and also enjoyed participating in the Czech Heritage Singers of Houston. In 1990, Dad was honored to read a passage in the Czech language at the Funeral Mass of Bishop John Morkovsky, who was a prominent supporter of the Slavic Heritage Festival.

In the early 1980’s, Dad was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and endured 2 years of rigorous chemotherapy. At the time statistical studies predicted a 20% chance of surviving 5 years: he survived more than 30 years longer.

On the 26th of April 2013, Dad was appointed to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor (Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur) at the French Consulate in Houston. This premier French decoration instituted by Napoleon I has been used to honor American veterans of World War II for their service in France during the war.

Research revealed a possible family coat of arms, awarded to Jáchym Pivec. In 1579 he built a fortress/chateau that still stands near Olomouc in the Czech Republic. The crest, or coat-of-arms, features a gold shield with two black hunting horns, a helmet with hunting horns, and a black and gold mantle. Hunting horns signify one who is fond of the chase or of high pursuits. The shield indicates a defender, and the helmet shows wisdom and security in defense, and is a symbol of strength, protection, invulnerability. The gold color symbolizes generosity, the black, constancy. Red highlights in the crest stand for military fortitude, and the white background reflects peace and sincerity

Interestingly, Dad, at age 86, dropped a buck with one shot during the 2008 hunting season. His success in the hunt suggests that the heritage of the Pivec (Piwetz) family, as portrayed by the hunting horns in the family crest, continued to flow through his veins.

Florian Piwetz is survived by his wife of 67 years, Effie (Jasek) Piwetz; their children and spouses: Jacqueline and Michael LeMoine, Janis Esenwein, Michael and Mary Jo Piwetz, Mark and Edwina “Eddy Kay” Piwetz, Martin and Maria Piwetz; grandchildren and spouses: Michael and wife Jennifer LeMoine, Jason LeMoine, Sean and wife Janet Clark, Richard and Sarah Esenwein, Jessica and husband George Flores, Emily Piwetz, Jacob and Logan Piwetz, Wesley and Allison Piwetz; great-grandchildren: Isabelle and Clara LeMoine, Devon and Delilah Lemoine, Ethan and Alexa Clark, Madeline and Jeffrey Long; sisters: Dolores Rowlett and Lillian Krenek, brother-in-law Wayne Schmidt.

He is preceded in death by brothers Steven, Ludwig, and Frank, and sister Mary Ann Schmidt, grandson Charles LeMoine, granddaughter-in-law Janessa LeMoine.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from one o’clock until five o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 10th of February, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. A vigil service is to commence at four o’clock in the afternoon.

The funeral service is to be conducted at half-past ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 11th of February, at St. Cecilia Catholic Community, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive in Houston.

The interment service is to follow at three o’clock in the afternoon at St. John Catholic Cemetery, 301 S. Thompson in Fayetteville, Texas.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Cecilia Future Debt Reduction Fund, 11720 Joan of Arc Dr., Houston, TX, 77024.