Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
William Pena Obituary
1919-2018
He was born in Laredo, Texas, on February 10, 1919, the second of three sons of Eduardo and Clementina Peña and was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Gustavo Peña and Augusto Peña. "Ed", as he was known, was a grocer most of his life and was elected to serve on the Laredo City Council for a decade. "Tina" was a homemaker and was a co-founder of the Society of Martha Washington in Laredo.
In 1942, at Texas A&M College, Peña received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a commission in the U. S. Army. He served in the European Theater of War with the 28th Infantry Division. He was involved in three major battles: Huertgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge, and the Liberation of Colmar. He retired from the Army in 1947 as a Captain and was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. In 1991, he published his war memoir As Far As Schleiden. For his service, the French awarded him the Criox de Guerre in 1945, then the Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (France's highest honor) in 2013. In 2014, he was one of five notable Aggies memorialized in the "Aggies Go to War" museum exhibit which opened in Belgium. Most recently, in 2016, the Kingdom of Belgium bestowed upon him the Honorary Distinction of Commander in the Order of the Crown. The medal was presented, in person, by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, in College Station, Texas.
After the war, he returned to Texas A&M to receive a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1948. Upon graduation he joined the architecture firm of Caudill Rowlett and Scott (CRS) and became the fourth founding partner in 1949.
Peña is known as the Father of Architectural Programming. After 20 years of practice, he developed the Problem Seeking Programming Process and in 1969 he wrote the first edition of Problem Seeking with John Focke. The American Institute of Architects elevated him to AIA Fellow in 1972, in recognition of his contributions to programming and education. From 1970-73, he served as consultant to the Professional Examination Committee of the National Council on Architectural Registration Boards --- specifically, to write the programming section of the exam.
In 1998 he received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University (the first year the award was presented) in recognition of outstanding leadership and accomplishments. In 2015 he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award of Texas A&M University, the highest honor bestowed on former students of Texas A&M. In 2016, Willie endowed the William Merriweather Peña Scholarship at the Texas A&M College of Architecture. The scholarship was designed to benefit deserving students who have a financial need. It was the largest single gift the College had ever received.
The AIA Houston Chapter has honored William Peña three times: in 1990 with the Chapter Citation Award, in the year 2000 with the prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award, and in the year 2009 with a contribution, in his honor, to the AIA Houston Design Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
Funeral arrangements to be announced
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Pena
Sponsored by Earthman Hunters Creek Funeral Home.
kevin williams
May 3, 2023
Today I listed Willie Pena on a thank you note to many of my colleagues at Microsoft who are also veterans. I included Willie's Bio from Wikipedia so that his memory lives on. He was a mentor to me many years ago at CRS along with Kevin Kelly and Steve Parshall. He was also an inspiration to many through his books, his friendly smile, and his Service to our country.
Yuji Mizoue
February 14, 2018
I was deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Mr William Pena passing.
Willie taught me important things in my life.
Not only he showed me key factor of the "Problem Seeking" method which is the original method of architectural programming which big changed from the traditional building production process, but also I think he taught me Way of thinking, how to find the essence and core of things, how to systematizing, how to narrowing down to the important factors. Willie's sight that brings innovation has had a major impact on my life. Unfortunately, from now on it is impossible to directly ask questions about what I thought, but when something tough or confusion happens, I will return to saying, "How would you think if Willie? So I would like to figure out the direction in which I am going.
Really, thank you for teaching me so many things.
Please accept my sincerest condolences. May his soul rest in peace.
Stan Simmons
February 13, 2018
Mr. Pena was a cherished neighbor and a charter member of the Bolton Place Townhouse Association. His knowledge and guidance was relied on for 40 years. He will be missed greatly and remembered fondly.
Willie...God Bless You, Go With God.
J. E. "Bud" Rudder Jr.
February 13, 2018
A friend of Texas, a friend of Texas A&M, a friend of my father. His legacy will endure far beyond all who knew him.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Joe and Deb Schwan
February 13, 2018
Our world lost a good man last week. I am truly grateful to have had the chance to know him and to learn from him. Any time you spoke with Willie it was evident that he loved sharing his knowledge and wisdom acquired during his not quite one hundred years on this earth. As we miss you here I know the angels are welcoming you there, in your new eternal home. Gods peace to you Willie and all your loved ones.
February 13, 2018
Condolences for William M. Pena
On behalf of the Bryan-College Station Sister Cities Association, I want to express our condolences on the death of William M Pena.
It was just a few years ago when our two cities, along with the city of Bastogne, Belgium, signed an agreement to become Sister Cities because of our long-standing relationship and our lasting bond stemming back to World War II.
We were pleased to attend the ceremony where Princess Astrid of Belgium bestowed upon Mr. Pena the distinction of Commander in the Order of the Crown and to join him in a tour of the Texas Aggies go to War exhibit in the Memorial Student Center.
We wish to help promote his legacy and our connections with Belgium as we continue to find ways to promote peace through cultural understandingone person and one community at a time.
May the forthcoming museum become a success as we remember those who have been an important part of our history.
Dave Ruesink
Immediate Past President
BCS Sister Cities Association
February 12, 2018
A great man with a legacy of service, innovation, leadership, and passion. A life well lived. May he rest in peace.
Terry Scarbrough
February 12, 2018
A true American hero and wonderful man of God.
Terry Scarbrough
St. Michaels Church
Houston Tx.
February 12, 2018
Dear Willie we at St. Michael's will miss you. We loved all your stories and especially the "show'n'tell" at the Breakfast Club.
Rest in peace and bless you for your long courageous life.
Margaret Fuller
Jim Kollaer
February 12, 2018
RIP old friend. God welcome your son Willie. He was an amazing man who gave what he had to and for others. He mentored and taught many of us in the ways of Architectural Programming and made a tremendous difference in our lives. He was an honorable, honest, ethical man who left the world a better freer place and he left the garden a little greener than he found it. Please welcome him home and give him the peace and rest that he so richly deserves. I am honored to have known him.
Paul Merriman, Willie Pena and Dan Snyder
February 12, 2018
Willie was a gem! At the weekly breakfast show and tells we learned so much of his life and travels. A very cool dude. He will be missed.
Laurie Merriman
Cathy Hernandez
February 12, 2018
Peace be with him now he is in gods hands.
Cathy Hernandez
February 12, 2018
Peace be with him now he is in gods hands.
February 12, 2018
February 12, 2018
Thank you Willie for that invaluable mentoring while we shared your office. You allowed me to enter that part of the practice of architecture that I had long been searching for which I shall always be grateful. With enduring Love, Laban
Carol Merriman Lester
February 12, 2018
I met Willie through his friendship with my parents that began in the last 20 years. Along with several others, mostly deceased now, they were part of a breakfast group that met weekly and also for birthday celebrations. I was invited to many of these breakfasts over the years and came to know Willie as a kind, warm, humble and intelligent man. His friendship with both my parents and all our family was treasured by all of us. When my mother died, dad and Willie's friendship deepened and they spoke daily. We are saddened at his passing and will forever be grateful to have known him and for the love he extended to my parents over the years. RIP dear Willie.
Yolanda Garza
February 11, 2018
Sincere condolences go out to the Pena family for your sad loss. May GOD be with the family as you mourn the loss of William.
John 6:40.
Dany Fleming
February 11, 2018
I am sorry for your loss. William accomplished a lot during his years. I know that you will have fond memories and many tales to remember him by.
Cindy J Sanford
February 11, 2018
Here. A great Aggie!
Kevin and Beth Williams
February 11, 2018
I spoke with Willie about 6 months ago and thanked for his service to our country. He always remembered my family and always was upbeat. Oddly, he was humble about his military service and even though he sacrificed much most never knew the whole story. His contributions to architecture are well-documented, but it was his kindness to me and to my family that will be his legacy for us.
Peace to you, Willie...!
Jeff Warren
February 11, 2018
I remember fondly WIllie's programming area walk-throughs at CRS Houston in the mid-80's. His visits, comments and suggestions always helpful and insightful. PC's were inching their way into the work flow and he enjoyed pointing out their down-sides and how much more time it would take to do the project with them. Turns out he was pretty much right about that. I thought of him frequently not seeing him since the late 80's. His passing is a life-time milestone.
February 11, 2018
Rest in Peace, my benefactor, mentor, friend!
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
Make a Donation
in William Pena's name
Memorial Events
for William Pena
How to support William's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor William Pena's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
