William Burkhalter
September 12, 2015

William Edgar (Billy) Burkhalter, Sr. passed away on September 12, 2015 during the Rice University vs. University of Texas football game. Billy proudly played football for Rice and wore number 12 throughout his career from 1948 - 1952. So of all days this day seemed appropriate. He won many awards for both football and academics including the Bob Quin Award during his times at Rice and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. After graduating from Rice, he coached at St. Thomas High School and began his business career, which included banking and insurance. But he stayed very involved with his alma mater and reveled in their victories and agonized over their defeats. He was born in Kokomo, Indiana on March 18, 1930 to Mildred Armstrong and James Burkhalter who preceded him in death. Also preceding him was his brother Jim Burkhalter, his sons, Billy Burkhalter Jr. and Howard Burkhalter and his grandson Ryan Burkhalter. His loving wife and devoted caretaker Nora Burkhalter, his daughters Anne Van Horn, Mary Bambace and her husband Peter, his son Michael Burkhalter, his mother in law Bertha Singler and his sisters in law, Rene Burkhalter, Myrl Womack, Gail Fowler, and Teresa Carlson survive him. 15 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. A memorial mass will be said on Monday, September 28, 2015 at 10 a.m. St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 6800 Buffalo Speedway Houston, TX 77025. A reception will immediately follow in the Monsignor Jamail Family Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be designated to Rice University Athletics. These gifts may be made online at giving.rice.edu or mailed to: Rice University Office of Development MS-81 P.O. Box 1892 Houston, TX 77251-1892 His great grandson Easton Licata summed up our loss as only a 6 year old can. "I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is Papa is in heaven, which is a beautiful place full of angels and puppies. The bad news is we will not get to see him for a very, very, very long time."

Tributes