WILLIAM MITTEN COATS Jr.

WILLIAM MITTEN COATS, JR. 69, prominent attorney and civic activist, died on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at M.D. Anderson Hospital. He was born November 27, 1940 in Graham, Texas and moved with his family to Greenville where he grew up as the "big brother" of two younger siblings. Bill was part of the early years of Plan 2 at the University of Texas, where he was an honor student who completed his undergraduate and law degrees in just six years. In Houston, he became a founding partner in the Coats Rose Law Firm. He was a pioneer, and until just two weeks ago, a relentless leader in the field of construction law. But his real passion, besides his family and the law, was working to improve the city of Houston, a place he loved. His determination to help make the city the vibrant, beautiful and forward- thinking place he envisioned led him to be one of the founders of Citizens for Good Schools. He served as a long-time board member of Inprint Inc. and was instrumental in the formation of the Houston Community College Foundation. He was a tireless fighter against urban blight, and with Carroll Shaddock and the late Jim Rylander, he was the driving force behind Trees for Houston, which, since 1983, has planted countless trees along freeways, streets and avenues, bringing welcome shade and beauty to the city he loved. He helped found and worked for Friends of Hermann Park (now Herman Park Conservancy) as a lawyer, an advocate, and a board member--- with a determination to improve the park in the center of town, to make it beautiful and restful, a place of comfort and escape for all Houston's citizens and a symbol of community to those who might visit our city.This urge to help, to make things better, also made Bill a remarkable and beloved friend. He was a wonderful cook, and to the delight of the legions of his hungry friends, he fed them often. He and his wife Nancy were constantly opening their doors and gathering people at their table. Their Christmas parties were legendary, with Bill and Bettie Lair, their longtime housekeeper, cooking spicy gumbo, tender lamb chops and silky asparagus for the houseful of eager guests. His wonderful wit made traveling with him a particular treat. Each night he produced a handwritten "newspaper" which he then read to his fellow-travelers at breakfast the next morning. They were full of poems, puns, limericks and wry commentary, and were always laugh-out-loud funny.Just as he had been "big brother" to his siblings in Greenville, Bill became a kind of big brother to his friends. His sister recalls that it was Bill who taught her how to iron a shirt. In Houston he taught those who loved him many equally useful things. They learned by watching him how to be a doting father and stepfather, a constant, loving husband, a lover of learning, and a passionate citizen. Last week Bill told a friend that he was going to miss his life. But given all he's done and all he's given, it is surely safe to say that he won't miss his life half as much as everyone who loved him will miss him.Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy Manderson, children Ann and William Coats, stepchildren Emily and Edward Manderson, three beloved grandchildren, Jackson, Elsa and Lucy (who called him "Papa Bill,") his sister Frances Cerbins, and many nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held at the Main Train Station in Hermann Park at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 26, 2010. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Friends of Hermann Park.