William "Bill" Richard Klosterman

William “Bill” Richard Klosterman, 70, of Grapevine, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on August 23, 2026, surrounded by those he loved. Bill fought pancreatic cancer and, later, glioblastoma with remarkable courage and strength.

Bill was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to William and Marie Klosterman. From an early age, he had the curiosity and creativity that would define him throughout his life. While attending De Smet Jesuit High School, he developed a passion for photography, earning a Kodak Medallion of Excellence and having his work displayed in the Kodak Photo Gallery in New York City.

He went on to earn a degree in accounting from the University of Missouri and later a Master of Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Throughout his career, Bill brought his analytical mind and natural ability to solve problems to a variety of private firms, serving in leadership roles as controller and vice president.

In 1981, Bill met Anna, and before long she followed him to Dallas. They married and spent the next 42 years building a life together—raising their family, making wonderful friends, traveling, laughing, and enjoying countless adventures.

Bill was a man of endless curiosity. He was happiest in his garage, tinkering with 3D printing, woodworking, electronics, and photography—always finding a new project to tackle or a problem to solve. His grandchildren will remember the 3D-printed helicopters and animals he made for them, while his family will remember the ingenious tools and gadgets he would “MacGyver.” And while Bill had many talents, one was legendary: no one could hide an Easter egg better than he could. There may, in fact, still be a few waiting to be found.

Bill’s love of tinkering extended to another lifelong passion: classic rock and roll. He built his own vacuum tube amplifier and loved hanging out in the game room, listening to his vast collection of vinyl. It was also a favorite gathering place for Bill and his friends, where many good times were spent playing pool, throwing darts, and target shooting with his Red Ryder BB gun.

A devoted news junkie and formidable trivia opponent, Bill had an extraordinary knowledge of history and geography and an enduring curiosity about the world. That curiosity carried over into a lifetime of adventure. Bill loved scuba diving, skiing, e-biking, and camping. His family fondly remembers the hours he spent in the pool with the kids, putting his scuba gear to good use and turning an ordinary afternoon into an adventure with underwater torpedo games. For many years, he loved being on his sailboat, whether relaxing, racing, or taking part in the Christmas boat parades. Later, he traded the open water for the open road, traveling by RV and exploring America’s national parks. Whether the adventure took him across an ocean, down a new highway, or simply into the backyard pool with his kids, Bill knew how to make it memorable.

Bill was also a skilled cook and wine enthusiast who loved sharing both with family and friends. Among his many dishes, none will be remembered more fondly than the family favorite known simply as “Dad’s Spaghetti.”

Above all, Bill loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Anna; his son, Bradley (Winel); his daughter, Marie (Craig); and his six grandchildren, Eliannah, Liam, Sutton, Sophia, Gianna, and Porter. He is also survived by his sister, Claudia Szymanski (Jim); his brother, David (Tina); and a wide circle of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marie, and his sister, Diane.

Bill will be remembered for his sharp mind, quick wit, endless curiosity, and sense of adventure. He found joy in learning, creating, traveling, and sharing experiences with the people he loved. Whether he was taking photos, working on an invention in his garage, cooking for his family, sailing across the water, or setting out toward another national park, Bill was always ready to see what was around the next corner.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Cross Timbers Winery, 805 Main Street in Grapevine, Texas, on September 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill’s honor to the National Park Foundation at https://www.nationalparks.org/