William F. Greve Jr.

One of the things our Dad was most proud of was us – his kiddos. Or, at least that is how he made us feel. He spent tons of time with us in the outdoors, hiking-camping-skiing in particular. Willy (son) followed in his footsteps and earned his Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts. While, Joan Marie (daughter), became an engineer and collegiate athlete. Of course, none of this could have been accomplished without our Mom, Peggy. Between the two of our parental units, there is not a day in our lives that we have been without love, support, and a tish of the best kind of crazy.

If you are moved to do something in memory of Bill, we would ask that you consider donating to the Raptor Education Foundation. Please go to their home page https://www.usaref.org/, and in the top center click on the yellow ‘donate’ button, or the links just below for other options like Venmo or Zelle.

Finally, here is the link https://youtube.com/live/Wh6iayhIs3E?feature=share for those interested in viewing the mass to be held on Monday October 20, 10:30am Mountain Time at St. Francis of Assisi, where our Dad was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, as he was throughout his life.

In the immortal words of our Dad … Tally Ho! (please read to the end for his favorite joke)

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Although this time is sad, knowing Bill is no longer of this world, the family would like folks to focus on the joy and hilarity and resilience with which Bill lived life.

Bill was born January 10, 1935 in Houston, TX. His mother was Mary Ursula Muller Greve and his father was William F. Greve, Sr. He loved and was loved by many, including but not limited to: our Mom, Peggy Greve; two children who adored him, William (Will) F. Greve, III and Joan Marie Greve (Declan); Debbie Greve; two grand kiddos Andy (3rd generation Eagle Scout, licensed pilot) and Katie (architectural student at Notre Dame); the Careddas, Janette and Salvatore, Giuliana (Ayo) and Graziella (Rod, Luca, Valentina); his two younger brothers, with whom he made mischief as children – James E. and Margaret Greve, John Patrick and Fran Greve – along with several nephews and one niece; Mike and Mary Smith; and, Andy, Sally, and Dee Walker.

Bill, known as ‘Billy’ back then, attended Saint Mary’s (first in his class) and graduated from Kirwin High School, Class of 1953 salutatorian. Having attended several class reunions with their father, the family would like to extend their regards to the Class of ’53. Some of Bill’s favorite memories include: learning how to play tennis from his mom, ‘grab assing’ with his brothers, learning to net fish from his grandfather, and participating in Boy Scouts with his father while earning his Eagle Scout rank.

Although he received a scholarship to another university, Bill attended the University of Texas (Class of 1958) and earned two degrees, a B.S. each in petroleum engineering and naval science. While at UT, Bill wrote his own Cinderella story when he was recruited off the intramural softball field, with the instructor telling the track coach ‘That boy can throw a softball a mile! You ought to get him out for the javelin.’ Described as UT’s mighty-mite, weighing in at only 145 lbs, Bill was later described by Coach Littlefield thusly ‘… man alive, he has the greatest form in the javelin I’ve ever seen. Some times when he throws the javelin I think he’s gonna go along with it. That just shows you what can be done with a little old skinny boy.’ (Excerpts from the UT newspaper.)

Bill was part of Navy ROTC at UT and upon graduation received a commission in the navy as Lieutenant JG. He served as the ship’s navigator on the USS Thor, ARC-4 (an acoustical submarine detection cable laying vessel) and as a Battalion Commander at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Not surprisingly, Bill served honorably, even when he accidentally navigated his vessel into an artillery firing range, enthusiastically relaying the ship’s location to the captain when the captain ‘animatedly’ inquired following a shell flying across the bow of the ship (story as told to his two children). While serving in the Great Lakes, he met one of the best people to ever enter his life, Peggy (Margaret Cassidy).

After leaving the Navy, Bill began his 35 year career working as an engineer and attorney in the domestic and international oil and gas industry. He began as a roustabout and roughneck in the Gulf of Mexico, with George H.W. Bush’s company, Zapata. Later he earned his juris doctorate from the University of Houston, and passed the bar exam in at least three states while moving to different companies around the country. International work included Ecuador, Peru, and Guatemala.

Although a proud Texan through and through, Bill ultimately spent many moons in Colorado. He clearly remembered when he first saw the Rockies on a Boy Scout trip he led, raised his kiddos in Colorado, summited 10 of the fourteeners, and retired to Colorado when his son’s family put down roots in the Front Range. From a young age, Bill was constantly outside and interacting with wildlife, from snakes to horny toads to salamanders to pigeons. While in Colorado, he happened upon ‘a guy with a hawk on his arm’ and became enamored with raptors. He became involved with the Raptor Education Foundation, founded by Peter Reshetniak – with whom Bill ‘became pretty good friends’. Bill’s answer to the age-old question of ‘what super power would you want?’ was, indeed, flight. Peter could recognize Bill’s enthusiasm, and was very patient while educating him. During retirement, Bill took up officiating sports, like all of them (baseball, basketball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball). This kept him young and connected to a community he valued immensely, i.e. kiddos.

In his 80’s, Bill benefited from having a loving family, that he helped to create and foster over decades. During several health emergencies, Peggy, Will, and Joan get credit for getting him the care he needed in the short- and long-term. The Greve family would like to extend a very sincere thank you to The Peaks Care Center, particularly the nursing staff and activities coordinators, who kept a sometimes crotchety resident healthy despite himself. His final month of life could not have been written better. His two brothers made it out to Colorado to visit him (thank you to Barry and Fran Greve for helping make this possible!); he spent a lot of time with his grand kiddos; and, then, he passed in his sleep.

The Greve family would like to thank Howe Mortuary, particularly Tyler Behaeghe Friedman and Connie Wills. Tyler has been instrumental, encouraging the family to reflect as they see fit, which has included lots of laughter and tears.

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Our Dad’s favorite joke:

A Texan was visiting his friend in London England. His friend invited the Texan to his hunting club to go out on a fox hunt. When the Texan got to the hunt club everyone greeted him and treated him like a royal guest.

They went out on the fox hunt and when they returned to the club, all the members shunned the Texan and looked at him askance (gave him side-eye, in today’s parlance).

The Texan went to his friend and asked him what had happened.

The English friend told the Texan that when you go out on a fox hunt here in England and you see the fox you are supposed to say “Tally ho! The fox!” … not “There goes that little red S.O.B!”