William “Bill” Malitz passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2009, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Beaumont. He fought a long and courageous fight with Parkinson’s disease which may have taken his ability to walk and bowl – but not his love for life and fellowship.
Bill was born in Beaumont on February 22, 1923 to Charles Malitz, Sr. and Christine Scharper Malitz. He was a graduate of Beaumont High School and attended Texas A&M University and Lamar Tech. He married Billie Jean Goff on September 12, 1952 in Beaumont, Texas. From this marriage were born two children, Christine Lee Malitz and George Wayne Malitz. Bill with his wife was the retired owner of Malitz Plumbing and Heating and Malitz Bowling Supply.
He was preceded in death by his wife and parents. Survivors include his daughter, Christine Heiner and her husband Billy of Beaumont; son, George Malitz and his wife Janis of Port Bolivar; brother, Charles Malitz, Jr. and his wife Bea of Albuquerque, New Mexico; seven grandchildren, Wakelyn and her husband Tobyn, Lelia and her fiancé Alfred, Zachary, Jeremy and his wife Christa, Joshua, Matthew and his wife Amanda, Sarah and her husband Nelson; and four great-grandchildren, Noah, Will, Cate, and Lila. He was awaiting a new great-grandchild W. Also surviving are several nephews.
Special friends were Judy Elder, who in his earlier years was by his side working in the plumbing business and traveling on bowling trips whenever possible, and Kay Metz, who in the last five years was there every day to help with his every need including taking him to Twice Fed and the Lunch Bunch at church. The last few months, Brayedin, Kay’s grandson, was there as his breakfast companion. We thank you both for your tender care and love for him – he loved you as much as we do.
A gathering of his family and friends will begin at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at St. John Lutheran Church, 2955 South Major Drive, Beaumont with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and family friends. Honorary pallbearers will be his many bowling league buddies and church friends.
The loves of his life were simple ones – his beloved wife of fifty-one years Billie, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, bowling, attending services and activities at St. John and reading the Bible, going to his beach cabin and fishing, and enjoying a great meal. He will be remembered for his love of food – enjoying dessert with every meal – sometimes before, sometimes after, and sometimes both before and after meals; ice cream on his cereal for breakfast and after supper; always asking “where’s the bread?”
Bill and Billie shared a love and faith that weathered many challenges and difficulties; that love and faith only grew stronger as the years passed.
Bowling was a passion for Bill with his bowling most nights of the week when he was able. He and Billie traveled across the country numerous times going to bowling tournaments from Niagara Falls to Miami to Las Vegas and all points in between as vacation trips. He was proud of many 299 games and one of his greatest possessions was his 300-game ring. Bill also loved going to Crystal Beach; he and Billie built their cabin there in the mid-1950’s. They shrimped for years in the old red boat and enjoyed the fruits of their labor. He also loved fishing at Rollover Pass and on the Bolivar Jetty. One of the joys of his later life was staying at the beach with his children and their families. He especially enjoyed the Fourth of July fireworks.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Building Principal Fund, 2955 South Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707.
