William Urban Griffith, III

WILLIAM URBAN GRIFFITH, III, fondly known as "Griff" entered Heaven on March 10, 2023, after a long illness. Surrounded by family and friends in the days preceding his death, his illness was healed and he was renewed according to the promises of the Holy Scriptures. Long awaited, he was received with great joy at birth in the Houston Heights historic Heights Hospital on November 1st, 1942, by his parents Irene Lillian (Michalak) Griffith and William U. Griffith, Jr. Griff married his dear Ollie Merline in April 2020. While together just a few years, Griff and Merline enjoyed life abundantly in their golden age, traveling, visiting friends, and cherishing and caring for one another. Preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of nearly 38 years, Virgie Ann Griffith. Griff is survived by Merline; sister Linda O'Kelley; brother Thomas Griffith and wife Louise; sister Sharon Griffith; daughter Elizabeth Villarreal and husband Ernest; son William U. Griffith, IV; son Mark Griffith and wife Mandi; daughter Rachel Tuinstra and husband Bill; grandchildren Ariel Villarreal, Allison Villarreal, Abigail Villarreal, Zachary Villarreal, Haley Voumard, Eleanor Griffith, David Griffith, Kristina Schweyer, Eric Schweyer, Mason Griffith, Skyler Griffith, Tim Land; and great-grandchildren Anthony Briceno and Jackson Schweyer. Graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Houston in 1961, Griff worked for Hughes Tool Co., Grant Prideco and later in life, Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice where he was an engineer with the Facilities Dept. Griff was very blessed to have an enormous community of friends and the outpouring of love has been a shining tribute to a man who was a friend to all. What a difference he made! From Hughes Tool and his Houston sphere of family and friends to Grant Prideco and his Navasota sphere of friends to TDCJ and his Huntsville and Central Texas sphere of family and friends, he was the same larger than life, kind, thoughtful gentleman who loved his family so. Griff, always a true patriot who loved his Country, enjoyed visiting family and friends, reading the Holy Scriptures and found great joy in the outdoors camping, fishing and hunting. He was an avid collector of many fascinating things and gadgets. True friends are rare, but they are those who show up at the hardest times. Among the dozens of visitors during Griff's hospital stay, several visited multiple times, communicated daily or supported Merline every single day. The loving support of his friends lifted Griff's spirits and gave him a smile. Particular thanks to Damon Starr, Richard Cowan, Patrick McGinty, Len Zazzarino, Chris Smith, Marilyn King, Ginger Norred, Joyce Ogle, Debbie and Joe Williams, and the Thursday Night Supper Club. Griff's family would like to thank the outstanding nursing, dialysis and PT/OT staff at HCA Conroe Regional Hospital for their dedicated, compassionate and thoughtful care of Griff during his time there. Pastor Mike Loftin will conduct Griff's services at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas at 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 21, 2023 as well as graveside services at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, Texas at 2:00 PM on the same day. Pallbearers are Tom Griffith, William Griffith, Mark Griffith, Mason Griffith, Zachary Villarreal and Richard Cowan. Honorary pallbearers are Ernest Villarreal, Bill Tuinstra and Chris Smith. Visitation is scheduled at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Monday, March 20, 2023 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. To send a memorial gift in Griff's memory, please consider the PTSD Foundation of America's Camp Hope at https://ptsdusa.org/give-help/ Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

William Urban Griffith, III

November 1, 1942 - March 10, 2023