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William Zak Obituary
William (Bill) Zak Long-time radio broadcaster Bill Zak, of KTRH for nearly 50 years, died peacefully in hospice care Tuesday, Oct. 25. He was 86.
William J. Zak, Jr., from Brazos County, was a big-hearted man of grit. He graduated from high school with honors at 15, as class president. Zak then enrolled at Texas A&M University to study electrical engineering. At 17, he felt a calling to WWII and was determined to become a pilot in the U.S. Navy. He was too young to enlist, however, so he wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt urging him to make an exception in the age requirement. The White House responded that he would have to wait until he was 18. At that age, Zak joined the navy, but shortly before earning his flight wings, he sustained a head injury in an accident during a drill and received an honorable discharge.
Zak then put to good use some advice given to him by a Texas A&M professor who complimented Zak's deep voice and spirited personality, and nudged him to pursue radio. Zak landed his first radio job as a DJ at WTAW in College Station earning 25 cents per hour, followed by a second radio gig at nearby KORA. In the mid 1940s, KTRH's farm director happened to hear Zak on the air and recruited him to Houston.
During his early years, Zak broadcasted from KTRH's studio at the Rice Hotel downtown, reporting farm-related news of those days and such big news events as the Texas City Disaster in 1947 that killed hundreds. Zak, who won numerous awards over his years in radio, worked alongside and became friends with many broadcasters, including Dan Rather. He delivered Rather's first on-air introduction. The two co-anchored a news show before Zak later hosted "Garden Line," for which Zak is most recognized.
Zak, an only child, adored his parents and took care of them in their later years, providing them a home next door to his on his three-acre property in Spring Branch. Zak also was a home builder and an author. He published two playful books on insects, offering help to gardeners challenged by "critters." He retired from KTRH in 1995.
Zak is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Jean Elizabeth Zak; six children - Debbie Zak, Marci Goforth, Gary Zak, Dana Veseleny, Lisa Smith and Steve Zak; four step-daughters - Julie Hewitt, Valerie Thompson, Leslie Siller and Paige Hewitt; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother Mylada "Maggie" Zak and father William Joseph Zak, Sr., known by family as Grandma and Grandpa Zak.
A memorial service will be held Sat., Oct. 29 at Earthman Hunters Creek Funeral Home, 8303 Katy Freeway. Visitation with family will be at 10:30 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m., officiated by Father John Rooney.
Those wishing to leave messages for the family may do so at www.dignitymemorial.com. The family requests contributions be made to VITAS Hospice Charitable Fund, 5430 NW 33rd Avenue, Suite 106, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33309. Donations also can be made at www.vitascharityfund.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Zak
marion schneider
June 1, 2023
I used to listen to you and enjoyed it as we drove Texas
Marion Schneider
Abuquerque New Mexico
Brenda Beust Smith
November 6, 2011
Bill was one of the giants of radio gardening when I started writing the Lazy Gardener column. He was always so generous with his time. I adored him. He always made me laugh and he always answered my questions.
Paula Richey/Crossman
November 3, 2011
To the family of my cousin Billy. Although my memory of him is from my childhood, he was a part of my life at that time and I want you to know my thoughts & prayers are with you all at this most difficult time.
Greg Cain
October 31, 2011
Dear Bill Zak Family,
I want you to know how much fun it was to listen to Bill on the radio. I would get ready for the day listening to him on Garden Line. He always made you smile and obviously loved life and had many who loved him. He made each day a little better and we are all blessed by having him in our lives.
Sincerely,
Greg Cain
kathleen Nichols
October 30, 2011
I was so sorry to hear about Bill Z's passing on the Garden Line show on KTRH very early this morning. I was a Garden Line groopie after moving to Houston in 1980 from Indiana, I listened to Bill & John on the Garden Line..the best gardening advice ever! I remember him saying one time to "always remove any dead leaves and flowers in your gardens before the company comes over" which I follow to this day! I got to meet him at his "Critters" book signing. Great guy!
Paul Van House
October 29, 2011
I was at ktrh for three years in the 80's. I remember Bill telling me he always treated his radio job as temporary work but ironically he was one of the very few that left that job on his own terms. I have missed hearing his voice these past few years and still enjoy the memories of Bill and Ben Oldag cutting it up on the air.
geri konigsberg
October 29, 2011
Dear Jean and Zak family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My late husband, Mike Edmonds, worked with Bill for many years. I remember you all coming for dinner one day and watching Bill eat 6 dozen oysters! He was a man who lived his life with gusto and he loved you, Jean, and the kids very much. I hope he has teamed up with Howard Finch, Mike and others from KTRH to form a new station!
geri
John Connell
October 29, 2011
Gary, many years have passed since we were neighbors on Hammerly in the 70's. So sorry to hear about your Dad. May God comfort your family at this time.
Charlie Moger
October 29, 2011
It was an education and an honor to work with Bill. A great broadcaster. An even greater man. Peace and prayers to his family.
Frank Chalfant
October 28, 2011
Dear Bill.
I was so glad that I came to visit you on Monday afternoon. You were asleep and resting, but I know you heard me talking to you and your son. We talked about the many times we would meet in the back with Don and Doctor Bob and swap jokes and stories. We talked about the time the four of us cooked up that big pot of eight, three pound lobsters. The thing I remember the most are the times when you and Jean went on vacations. You trusted me to water and take care on your many wonderful plants. That was a great honor for me. I never told anyone before, but I turned your patio into a chapel. Each time I would go over and water the plants I would pray, “Dear God, Please don't let any of these plants die on my watch.” It was such an honor to have you and Jean as next door neighbors. You will be missed by everyone who knew you.
Frank E. Chalfant
Creg Gentry
October 28, 2011
Many a morning I woke up to the voice of Bill Zak, and his farm program on KTRH. he made a long commute to work go by fast
he will be missed.
Creg Gentry
Ed Shane
October 28, 2011
Thanks for sharing Bill with the rest of us.
Julie Brown - Napoleone
October 28, 2011
Dear Debbie, Marci, Gary, Dana, Lisa and Steve: I have such fond memories of the years I spent around you all in the early 70s. I have many happy memories of your dad, but one in particular was when Gary took me to my very first "Roundup" at your Aunt's farm one weekend in 1972. I expected the typical cowboys, horses and cows, but what I did not expect was what a Roundup really was! I'll never forget your dad bursting out laughing at my horror as I observed the calves getting castrated and their "stuff" slung into buckets, the men were all hard at work, lots of action going on. Bill Zak came over to me later and put his arm around my shoulder, chuckled and put me at ease with his kind words. He always made me feel welcome at the family home too as I was there just about every day for 2 years. I love the pictures on this site, and how wonderful to see Grandma and Grandpa too! You all were like my second family back then. I treasure the memories. My sincerest sympathies for your loss. Bill Zak was a great man.
Anne Holik
October 28, 2011
Dana and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My husband enjoyed listening to your father's program. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Theresa Cadell
October 28, 2011
Dear Jean and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Love, Theresa and Bill
Pam Willhelm - Kehoe
October 28, 2011
Jean, I was saddened to hear about Bill's passing. When I think of Bill it always makes me smile. He was such a wonderful man, certainly one of a kind. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Frank Haley
October 28, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss Jean, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I worked at KTRH from 1973 thru 1977, working the late afternoons and evening talk shows, I rarely saw Bill because he worked mornings, but I heard him a lot. He was well liked by all the crew at KTRH, The Jones family was really blessed to have such a professional broadcaster on their staff. I am praying for your comfort and peace. God bless you and your family.
Bill Neill
October 28, 2011
I remember listening to Bill Zak when KTRH was a real radio station and offered music and legitimate entertainment. Bill was the voice of KTRH and his passing furthers the realization that nothing is forever. My condolences to the family.
Connie Thompson
October 28, 2011
Dear Family:
Billy was my cousin, but he was also my Pop. How to you thank a man who opened his home and his heart and took in two children when he already had six of his own to raise? The only way is to love him...and I do, still today.
He was an amazing man in so many ways...kind, giving, funny, and talented in so many different areas - is there anything that man couldn't do? And that smile...he was always smiling!
He will live on in each of our hearts and in our memories.
Bill Van Rysdam
October 28, 2011
Dear Zak Family…
I had the privilege of working with Bill at KTRH from 1981 until he retired in 1995. During those years, Bill not only taught me how the radio business works, but many life lessons as well. There we times when we argued, times when we laughed and I loved every minute of it. To this day, whenever I hear his name or think of him; I smile. Please accept my prayers and condolences on your loss.
Hal Kemp
October 28, 2011
Dear Zak family:
My very first newscast as a new employee of KTRH was in October, 1968. It was on the Dewey Compton farm program and I remember going into the studio, sitting down next to Bill and across from Dewey. Bill looked at me and grumbled: "who the hell are you?" At that point I wasn't sure either one of us needed to know...but I managed to introduce myself. Dewey looked across the console and said, "..just remember, boy, I was here when you got here and I'll be here when you're gone." My fond memores of two of the finest men I every had the privelege to know. They taught me much about life that I am still unpacking today.
God's peace to you all.
Hal Kemp
Bill Bishop
October 28, 2011
Dear Zak family,
I worked with Bill at KTRH and there are so many things to remember about him. He was a classic Texas man. Big and strong. Tough, but kind. A hard worker and a family man. He didn't tolerate rudeness in others and he could see through the bull. But, to me, the best thing about Bill was his sense of humor. He was a funny guy who could always make me laugh. What a great gift. I'll never forget him. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Bill Bishop
October 27, 2011
Jean: I am a cousin (Stasney side) of Billy's. Although I have not seen him since I was a small boy, I do clearly remember him as fine man. Please accept my regrets for Billy's passing.
Bob Richey (Washington)
Gina Gorczynski
October 27, 2011
Dear Jean,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of Bill. He was a wonderful and unique man who has touched many with his interesting stories and bigger-than-life personality. He will most certainly be missed by many! Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and may God comfort you in the days ahead.
Linda Herrmann
October 27, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss Jean, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. What a wonderful man Bill was, always made sure my garage lights were working, when to put out my hummingbird feeders, making me feel safe when I first moved here. Rest in Peace Bill, you will be missed.
Linda Herrmann
October 27, 2011
I am so sorry to hear the passing of Bill, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Jean, in this sad time and always. What a wonderful man he was, always made me feel safe when I moved here 7 yrs ago and always made sure my garage lights were working. Rest in peace Bill. We will miss you.
Carol Burchett
October 27, 2011
Dana and family,
My heart goes out to you for your loss. I have asked God to just put His arms really tight around each of you and to hold you close to Him. I am sorry I will not be able to see you at the service, but know I am thinking about you. You are a great friend, girl.
Debbie Ellis
October 26, 2011
Jean, I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you my friend. May God be with you and your family at this most difficult time. Bill, I will miss you neighbor and friend! I always enjoyed your Radio voice, kindness, stories and great sense of humor! It is an honor to have known you.
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