November 1 1942 March 10 2023
WILLIAM URBAN GRIFFITH, III, fondly known as “Griff” entered Heaven on March 10, 2023, after a long illness. Surrounded by family and friends in the days preceding his death, his illness was healed and he was renewed according to the promises of the Holy Scriptures. Long awaited, he was received with great joy at birth in the Houston Heights historic Heights Hospital on November 1st, 1942, by his parents Irene Lillian (Michalak) Griffith and William U. Griffith, Jr. Griff married his dear Ollie Merline in April 2020. While together just a few years, Griff and Merline enjoyed life abundantly in their golden age, traveling, visiting friends, and cherishing and caring for one another. Preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of nearly 38 years, Virgie Ann Griffith. Griff is survived by Merline; sister Linda O’Kelley; brother Thomas Griffith and wife Louise; sister Sharon Griffith; daughter Elizabeth Villarreal and husband Ernest; son William U. Griffith, IV; son Mark Griffith and wife Mandi; daughter Rachel Tuinstra and husband Bill; grandchildren Ariel Villarreal, Allison Villarreal, Abigail Villarreal, Zachary Villarreal, Haley Voumard, Eleanor Griffith, David Griffith, Kristina Schweyer, Eric Schweyer, Mason Griffith, Skyler Griffith, Tim Land; and great-grandchildren Anthony Briceno and Jackson Schweyer. Graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Houston in 1961, Griff worked for Hughes Tool Co., Grant Prideco and later in life, Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice where he was an engineer with the Facilities Dept. Griff was very blessed to have an enormous community of friends and the outpouring of love has been a shining tribute to a man who was a friend to all. What a difference he made! From Hughes Tool and his Houston sphere of family and friends to Grant Prideco and his Navasota sphere of friends to TDCJ and his Huntsville and Central Texas sphere of family and friends, he was the same larger than life, kind, thoughtful gentleman who loved his family so. Griff, always a true patriot who loved his Country, enjoyed visiting family and friends, reading the Holy Scriptures and found great joy in the outdoors camping, fishing and hunting. He was an avid collector of many fascinating things and gadgets. True friends are rare, but they are those who show up at the hardest times. Among the dozens of visitors during Griff’s hospital stay, several visited multiple times, communicated daily or supported Merline every single day. The loving support of his friends lifted Griff’s spirits and gave him a smile. Particular thanks to Damon Starr, Richard Cowan, Patrick McGinty, Len Zazzarino, Chris Smith, Marilyn King, Ginger Norred, Joyce Ogle, Debbie and Joe Williams, and the Thursday Night Supper Club. Griff’s family would like to thank the outstanding nursing, dialysis and PT/OT staff at HCA Conroe Regional Hospital for their dedicated, compassionate and thoughtful care of Griff during his time there. Pastor Mike Loftin will conduct Griff’s services at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas at 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 21, 2023 as well as graveside services at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, Texas at 2:00 PM on the same day. Pallbearers are Tom Griffith, William Griffith, Mark Griffith, Mason Griffith, Zachary Villarreal and Richard Cowan. Honorary pallbearers are Ernest Villarreal, Bill Tuinstra and Chris Smith. Visitation is scheduled at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Monday, March 20, 2023 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. To send a memorial gift in Griff’s memory, please consider the PTSD Foundation of America’s Camp Hope at ptsdusa.org/give-help/ Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com. About Us Locations Contact Us Huntsville: (936) 291-7300 Montgomery: (936) 597-7300 Willis: (936) 890-0454 Search obituaries About Us Locations Contact Search Home Obituaries Flowers & Gifts Testimonials What We Do Grief & Healing Resources Plan Ahead Obituaries Flowers & Gifts Testimonials What We Do Grief & Healing Resources Plan Ahead Toggle navigation Send Beautiful Flowers Share a Memory Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share by Email William Urban Griffith, III November 1, 1942 – March 10, 2023 WILLIAM URBAN GRIFFITH, III, fondly known as “Griff” entered Heaven on March 10, 2023, after a long illness. Surrounded by family and friends in the days preceding his death, his illness was healed and he was renewed according to the promises… View Obituary & Service Information Login Print The family of William Urban Griffith, III created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories. Hide message Obituary & Service WILLIAM URBAN GRIFFITH, III, fondly known as “Griff… View More Share a Memory Below A comforting word from you means a lot. Share a Memory Flowers & Gifts Send flowers to the Griffith, III family. Send Flowers Tribute Wall Photos & Videos Obituary & Service + More Information Obituary for William Urban Griffith, III WILLIAM URBAN GRIFFITH, III, fondly known as “Griff” entered Heaven on March 10, 2023, after a long illness. Surrounded by family and friends in the days preceding his death, his illness was healed and he was renewed according to the promises of the Holy Scriptures. Long awaited, he was received with great joy at birth in the Houston Heights historic Heights Hospital on November 1st, 1942, by his parents Irene Lillian (Michalak) Griffith and William U. Griffith, Jr. Griff married his dear Ollie Merline in April 2020. While together just a few years, Griff and Merline enjoyed life abundantly in their golden age, traveling, visiting friends, and cherishing and caring for one another. Preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of nearly 38 years, Virgie Ann Griffith. Griff is survived by Merline; sister Linda O’Kelley; brother Thomas Griffith and wife Louise; sister Sharon Griffith; daughter Elizabeth Villarreal and husband Ernest; son William U. Griffith, IV; son Mark Griffith and wife Mandi; daughter Rachel Tuinstra and husband Bill; grandchildren Ariel Villarreal, Allison Villarreal, Abigail Villarreal, Zachary Villarreal, Haley Voumard, Eleanor Griffith, David Griffith, Kristina Schweyer, Eric Schweyer, Mason Griffith, Skyler Griffith, Tim Land; and great-grandchildren Anthony Briceno and Jackson Schweyer. Graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Houston in 1961, Griff worked for Hughes Tool Co., Grant Prideco and later in life, Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice where he was an engineer with the Facilities Dept. Griff was very blessed to have an enormous community of friends and the outpouring of love has been a shining tribute to a man who was a friend to all. What a difference he made! From Hughes Tool and his Houston sphere of family and friends to Grant Prideco and his Navasota sphere of friends to TDCJ and his Huntsville and Central Texas sphere of family and friends, he was the same larger than life, kind, thoughtful gentleman who loved his family so. Griff, always a true patriot who loved his Country, enjoyed visiting family and friends, reading the Holy Scriptures and found great joy in the outdoors camping, fishing and hunting. He was an avid collector of many fascinating things and gadgets. True friends are rare, but they are those who show up at the hardest times. Among the dozens of visitors during Griff’s hospital stay, several visited multiple times, communicated daily or supported Merline every single day. The loving support of his friends lifted Griff’s spirits and gave him a smile. Particular thanks to Damon Starr, Richard Cowan, Patrick McGinty, Len Zazzarino, Chris Smith, Marilyn King, Ginger Norred, Joyce Ogle, Debbie and Joe Williams, and the Thursday Night Supper Club. Griff’s family would like to thank the outstanding nursing, dialysis and PT/OT staff at HCA Conroe Regional Hospital for their dedicated, compassionate and thoughtful care of Griff during his time there. Pastor Mike Loftin will conduct Griff’s services at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas at 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 21, 2023 as well as graveside services at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, Texas at 2:00 PM on the same day. Pallbearers are Tom Griffith, William Griffith, Mark Griffith, Mason Griffith, Zachary Villarreal and Richard Cowan. Honorary pallbearers are Ernest Villarreal, Bill Tuinstra and Chris Smith. Visitation is scheduled at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Monday, March 20, 2023 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. To send a memorial gift in Griff’s memory, please consider the PTSD Foundation of America’s Camp Hope at https://ptsdusa.org/give-help/ Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William Urban Griffith, III please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery 6900 Lawndale St Houston, TX 77023 © Stadia Maps, © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap Get Driving Directions Previous Events Visitation MAR 20. 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CT) Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home – Huntsville 1700 Normal Park Dr Huntsville © Stadia Maps, © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap Get Driving Directions Funeral Service MAR 21. 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (CT) Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home – Huntsville 1700 Normal Park Dr Huntsville © Stadia Maps, © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap Get Driving Directions Graveside Service MAR 21. 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM (CT) Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery 6900 Lawndale St Houston, TX 77023 © Stadia Maps, © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap Get Driving Directions View information for consumers relating to the purchase of preneed funeral contracts including descriptions of the trust and insurance funding options available under state law. Complaints concerning perpetual care cemeteries or prepaid contracts should be directed to: Texas Department of Banking, 2601 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705; 1-877-276-5554 (toll free); www.dob.texas.gov © 2023 Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Made with love by funeralOne Translate this website: Sélectionner une langue ▼ Close the translation bar
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Urban Griffith III November 1 1942 March 10 2023.
Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Willis, state: Texas