William Edward (Bill) Semmelbeck

William Edward (Bill) Semmelbeck, 96, of Houston passed away August 20, 2023. Bill was born February 4, 1927, in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Cletus and Marie Semmelbeck. He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Nancy Lawlis. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Betty, son Mark and wife Roc’C of Houston, Granddaughter Sharee Pope and husband Nathan with great-grandchildren Calvin and Scarlett of Houston, granddaughter Kelli Dowd of Amarillo, grandson Christopher Semmelbeck and wife Meridith with great-granddaughter Margot of Dallas, and grandson Kevin Dowd of Amarillo. Bill was raised by his parents in Oklahoma City with his cousin and best friend Jack Bullock. He attended Classen High School before entering the Navy in 1944. After the Navy he obtained a degree in engineering geology at the University of Tulsa. He earned his MBA from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) in 1969. With the heart of a true entrepreneur, Bill’s career life is lined with many business endeavors including Bucks Sporting Goods, J&B Builders and American Land and Title. After graduating with his MBA, WT hired him as an associate professor in the school of business, where he taught business management and marketing for 18 years and was named Professor Emeritus by the Texas A&M University System. Bill’s generosity and care for his students was evident to those in his classes and he had a big impact on many who walked through his doors. One of those students, Ron Watts, and friend Ron Edmondson came to seek professional advice. That conversation led to a 45-year partnership starting with the purchase of Elliot Office Supply in 1978 and building it into OfficeWise - the largest office supply business in West Texas and ranked among the largest in the state. Bill also helped countless people reach their own goals through both financial and personal investment. Bill was a member of the Rotary Club and served in lay leadership roles at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Amarillo and Grace Presbyterian in Midland . A Memorial Service beginning at 11:00 AM will be held Saturday September 16, 2023, at Dettling Funeral Home 14094 Memorial Dr. Houston, Tx 77079 with reception luncheon to follow. In honor of Bill’s life please consider a charitable donation to His Voice Global or West Texas A&M.

William Edward (Bill) Semmelbeck

February 4, 1927 - August 20, 2023