Roll Call Tribute
William "Bill" LaRoche '48 November 18, 2019 2:05 PM updated: April 14, 2020 12:27 PM
William Edward LaRoche
1927 - 2019
LaROCHE, William Edward Dallas William Edward LaRoche, 92, passed away Monday, November 11, 2019.
Bill was born on June 3, 1927 in Dallas, Texas to Paul and Estelle LaRoche. He was a life-long resident of Dallas and a Crozier Tech High School graduate. He was always an Aggie at heart and graduated from Texas A & M with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1948. During college, he was a proud member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Band and an avid football fan.
Upon graduation, he fulfilled his military obligation in the US Army and started his career with Tidewater in Midland, Texas. While in Midland, he met the love of his life, Mary Jane Stevens LaRoche, and they wed in August 1952. In 1959 they moved back to Dallas to work for DeGolyer and MacNaughton, where he served as Senior Vice President and Board Member. In 1979, Bill founded LaRoche and Associates, a company still active today.
Bill loved golf and served on many committees at Royal Oaks Country Club. He was an active player until 2017. He was a member and served as President of the Dallas chapter of SIPES and a member of the President's Council at Texas A & M. They were also members of the Wedding Ring Class at University Park Methodist Church for many years. Bill and Janie were married for 65 years, until her death in February 2013. Their unfailing love was an inspiration to all who knew them. Bill loved and cherished his family.
He never met a stranger and his infectious smile and interest in others were some of his many enduring qualities. Our world was better with him in it he will be missed.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Janie LaRoche and son, William Edward LaRoche, Jr. and brother, Paul LaRoche.
Survivors include his daughters Susan Vest and husband, Steve, Libby Gann Bowles and husband Bill; grandchildren, Hunter Vest (wife Caitlin), Ann Marie Vest Herbst (husband Jay), William Gann (wife Laura), Clayton Gann; great grandchildren Hayden Herbst, Lucas Vest, Margot Gann and Annabelle Vest; Nephew, Paul LaRoche (wife Charlotte) of Brenham, Texas; Niece, Linda LaRoche Blum (husband Darrell) of Brenham, Texas; 3 great nephews and 3 great nieces; 13 great, great nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service:
11:00 am Monday, November 18
University Park Methodist Church
4024 Caruth Blvd,
Dallas, Texas.
A memorial reception will be at The Forum on Park Lane at 3:00 on Sunday, November 17.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Bill can be made to The 12th Man Foundation, P.O. Box 2800, College Station, Texas, 77841.
Published in Dallas Morning News on Nov. 17, 2019
1927 - 2019
LaROCHE, William Edward Dallas William Edward LaRoche, 92, passed away Monday, November 11, 2019.
Bill was born on June 3, 1927 in Dallas, Texas to Paul and Estelle LaRoche. He was a life-long resident of Dallas and a Crozier Tech High School graduate. He was always an Aggie at heart and graduated from Texas A & M with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1948. During college, he was a proud member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Band and an avid football fan.
Upon graduation, he fulfilled his military obligation in the US Army and started his career with Tidewater in Midland, Texas. While in Midland, he met the love of his life, Mary Jane Stevens LaRoche, and they wed in August 1952. In 1959 they moved back to Dallas to work for DeGolyer and MacNaughton, where he served as Senior Vice President and Board Member. In 1979, Bill founded LaRoche and Associates, a company still active today.
Bill loved golf and served on many committees at Royal Oaks Country Club. He was an active player until 2017. He was a member and served as President of the Dallas chapter of SIPES and a member of the President's Council at Texas A & M. They were also members of the Wedding Ring Class at University Park Methodist Church for many years. Bill and Janie were married for 65 years, until her death in February 2013. Their unfailing love was an inspiration to all who knew them. Bill loved and cherished his family.
He never met a stranger and his infectious smile and interest in others were some of his many enduring qualities. Our world was better with him in it he will be missed.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Janie LaRoche and son, William Edward LaRoche, Jr. and brother, Paul LaRoche.
Survivors include his daughters Susan Vest and husband, Steve, Libby Gann Bowles and husband Bill; grandchildren, Hunter Vest (wife Caitlin), Ann Marie Vest Herbst (husband Jay), William Gann (wife Laura), Clayton Gann; great grandchildren Hayden Herbst, Lucas Vest, Margot Gann and Annabelle Vest; Nephew, Paul LaRoche (wife Charlotte) of Brenham, Texas; Niece, Linda LaRoche Blum (husband Darrell) of Brenham, Texas; 3 great nephews and 3 great nieces; 13 great, great nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service:
11:00 am Monday, November 18
University Park Methodist Church
4024 Caruth Blvd,
Dallas, Texas.
A memorial reception will be at The Forum on Park Lane at 3:00 on Sunday, November 17.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Bill can be made to The 12th Man Foundation, P.O. Box 2800, College Station, Texas, 77841.
Published in Dallas Morning News on Nov. 17, 2019
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