Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle from Oct. 7 to Oct. 8, 2017

John William "Bill" Overly(1930 - 2017)
John William "Bill" Overly
1930-2017
John William "Bill" Overly of Houston, Texas, passed away October 1. Bill was born in Eastland, Texas, on July 29, 1930. He was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Nancy Ritchie Overly.
Bill attended Texas A&M University and served in the United States Air Force for four years. In the early 1960s, he opened "Overly's Rentals" which he grew into a thriving equipment rental and repair business located on Bellaire Boulevard. After retiring in 1981, Bill spent 18 years as a dedicated volunteer at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital where he soothed the nerves and brought a smile to the faces of countless patients awaiting surgeries. Retirement also gave him the opportunity to complete his college degree; he earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Economics from Stephen F. Austin in 1984.
In addition to being known for his ready sense of humor and quick wit, Bill had a warm heart, and he loved spending time at his farm in Cat Springs with family and friends. While they were living, he was especially close to his three older brothers, Jim, Dick, and Bob Overly, where they regularly participated in White Oak class reunions and Ranch-O-Ramas.
Bill leaves behind a daughter Marty Pittman and son-in-law Jim, son John Overly, Jr., granddaughters Emily and Anna Pittman, his dear friend Nancy Batt, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass will be held on Monday, October 9, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, TX 77024. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Memorial Hermann Memorial City Volunteer Service Scholarship Fund, 12335 Kingsride Lane #137, Houston, Texas 77024.