William Henry Smeltz Sr.

William Henry Smeltz Sr. “Bill” 50 years old passed away while vacationing with his family and close friends in Sevierville, Tennessee on June 12,  2021 after a courageous battle with diabetes, heart failure and an ongoing need for a kidney transplant. William never gave up on life and lived life to the fullest “Carpe Diem” was his favorite motto.

He was born in Houston, TX on November 12, 1970 and was the son of the late Parvin and Minerva M. Smeltz. He is survived by his loving spouse: Monica A. Smeltz, his three sons: William H. Smeltz Jr., Michael H. Smeltz and Blake H. Smeltz, six sisters: Guadalupe Lopez and spouse Joe Lopez, Frances Silvas and spouse Pablo Silvas, Maria Teresa Delgado and spouse Joe Delgado, Minnie Garcia and spouse Lorenzo Garcia, Victoria Lopez and spouse Demetrio Lopez, Judy Bixler and spouse Richard Bixler and their growing families including William’s  23 nieces and nephews, 46 great-nieces and nephews and two great-great niece and nephew.

William had a passion to help the community and once volunteered with the City of South Houston EMS, the South Houston Chamber of Commerce, Texas Funeral Disaster Team, Knights of Columbus. He also contributed to countless local schools and dedicated countless years as he coached within the South Houston Little League and Galena Park Little League. In William’s later years he was an active member with Fort Bend Vaqueros and a familiar name with other trail riding teams that would lead him to establish United Trail Riders where he would be a co-president and founder.

William pursued his passion for the funeral industry in the late 1990’s and later went on to graduate Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in 1999 which would lead him to open South Houston Memorial Funeral Home but as his desire to grow and become a more inspiring businessman lead him to relocate and open South Houston Funeral Home in 2008 where he would become a staple to the City he so desired to help. William contributed to countless city functions such as coordinating Trail Riding within the city streets to provide gifts to the city youth, a backpack drive and festival and lastly in 2020 in the Covid pandemic a Turkey Give away prior to Thanksgiving which would allow him to reach even more individuals within the city. He indeed was an active and familiar face within the South Houston Community.  William is also survived by his staff members: Raymond Hicks and family, Maria Zabala and family, Willie Orosco Jr. and family, Angie Garcia Ochoa and family, Bart Pena and family, Erica Espinoza and family and Father Benito Pardo.

The family and staff of South Houston Funeral Home would like to express their gratitude to Madeline Hernandez and family, Jesus Amaya and spouse Christina Amaya, Vonnie Conde, Daniel Viera and family, Jamie Walker (Allfaith Mortuary), Thelma Garza (Austin Mortuary), countless colleagues and members within the funeral industry, the South Houston Police Department and Slingshots y Amigos for their support, friendship and guidance throughout this tiring and difficult time.

William’s final wishes have been honored since his passing and on Friday, November 12, 2021 the day that would have marked his 51st birthday the family will gather at St. Frances Cabrini located at 10727 Hartsook Houston, TX 77034 at 12:00pm for a Funeral Mass and a continued celebration of his life and legacy will be held in his honor with inurnment to follow by a funeral procession at Forest Park Lawndale at 2pm.