Roll Call Tribute
William Raba '86 August 23, 2021 9:16 AM updated: August 23, 2021 9:38 AM
William Laurence Raba
February 9, 1961 - August 13, 2021
William Laurence Raba went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 13, 2021 in his home in Helotes, with his family by his side. William was born in Bryan, Texas to Carl & Bunny Jean Raba on February 9, 1961, and is preceded in death by his loving mother, Bunny Jean, his youngest sister Cathy Raba, and uncle, Larry Raba. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Merry '84, daughter Tori and husband Sal, son Wills '15, father Carl F. Raba Jr., sisters, Cheryl Raba and partner Lisa Bell, Nancy Maloy and husband Bill, a brother, Gary Raba and wife Joni, and 15 nieces and nephews. William lived a life marked with sincere relationships, great enthusiasm for his community and families’ passions, led by a strong faith, and a life-long love for his alma mater Texas A&M University. He was especially a hero to his beloved wife, children, and nephew Zane.
William grew up in San Antonio where he went to John Marshall High School and played for the Rams baseball team. After a year of playing baseball at San Antonio College, William moved onto attend Texas A&M University where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction. During his time at Texas A&M, he met and soon after married his college sweetheart, Merry Kathryn Moskal.
After graduation William began his career in Houston, in the linear construction industry. Several years later, with his new family, he returned home to San Antonio to join Raba Kistner, where over the course of the next 30 years, William would build a tremendous legacy marked by the impact made on his business, community, family, and friends.
William sought to be a catalyst for positive change in his community, and was seen as a civic leader in San Antonio. Since 2000, he served on the NISD Citizens Bond Committee where he continued to serve as the PAC Treasurer while having helped pass over $3 billion in school bonds to help with the district’s growth. In 2015, William was recognized as the “Pillar of Citizenship” by Northside Independent School District honoring his legacy of community engagement which continues to foster excellence today. His devotion to the community spilled into the city of San Antonio, where William would be instrumental in leading fundraising efforts to pass additional municipal and educational bonds over the years, including an $850 million Alamo City measure, the largest bond in San Antonio’s history, and the 2017 Alamo Community College District’s $450 million campaign.
William was deeply passionate about the growth and future of the city, and community he grew up in, and through this he became a key volunteer for over nearly three decades to the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF.) As of 2019, he served on the SAEDF Executive Committee. In the same year, William was appointed to the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority board by County Judge Nelson Wolff.
William’s love and devotion for Texas A&M University was well known outside of just Football season. When not at every home football game with his family, he served as a member of Texas A&M Chancellor’s Advisory Council Executive Committee as a Vice Chair, the Construction Advisory Industry Council, The University System PAC as Vice Chairman, and The Advisory Panel for the Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) with The University System. He was also instrumental in the development of Texas A&M University – San Antonio, from conception through the development of the existing local campus, serving as a founding member of its Foundation Board. In 2017, William was awarded the Distinguished Alumni award by the Texas A&M School of Architecture, but some may say his biggest honor was having the chance to be the principal in charge of Raba Kistner’s project management role in the redevelopment of Kyle Field at Texas A&M.
If there was one thing William cared more about than his community and alma mater, it was his family. If someone was Tori or Wills’ friend growing up, there was a good chance William had coached them in sports at one time or another (unless it was dance team). He spearheaded the effort and established a youth sports program: Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) at his parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes. William spent many years coaching the Sidewinders baseball team, where many lifelong friendships were made along the way. William served as the O’Connor High School Booster Club President as well.
William’s dream growing up was to marry a pretty Aggie girl and own a ranch. When he was not fishing in Rockport, or elsewhere on the Texas coast, William spent his time in South Texas at the Olmos Grande Ranch. He loved being there, away from the world, and blessed to share his appreciation of the beauty South Texas has to offer with cherished family and friends.
William lived a life of compassion, service, and love for the people around him. His resounding legacy, ingrained by the impact he had on everyone who knew him, will not shortly be forgotten.
The family would especially like to thank our beloved friends and William’s devoted caregivers David Brown, Janet Riojas, and Jenna McKenzie all of whom were with him in his final days.
Heartfelt appreciation to the outstanding nurses and staff of the May’s Cancer Center, Dr. John Floyd, Dr. Andrew Brenner, and Dr. William Kelly for their unrelenting pursuit and dedication to the absolute best care possible for William.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to: North Side Education Foundation, Texas A&M Foundation, Texas A&M – San Antonio Foundation, and May’s Cancer Center.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00PM on Monday, August 23, 2021 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.
Rosary
Monday, August 23, 2021
7:00PM
Porter Loring Mortuary North
Mass
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
11:00AM
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
13715 Riggs Road, Helotes, TX 78023
Pallbearers will be: Wade Brauchle, Jorge Escudero, David Hammon, Ron Matyszczyk, Don E. Moskal, Tony Moskal, Rod Reed, and Kelly Ricks.
February 9, 1961 - August 13, 2021
William Laurence Raba went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 13, 2021 in his home in Helotes, with his family by his side. William was born in Bryan, Texas to Carl & Bunny Jean Raba on February 9, 1961, and is preceded in death by his loving mother, Bunny Jean, his youngest sister Cathy Raba, and uncle, Larry Raba. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Merry '84, daughter Tori and husband Sal, son Wills '15, father Carl F. Raba Jr., sisters, Cheryl Raba and partner Lisa Bell, Nancy Maloy and husband Bill, a brother, Gary Raba and wife Joni, and 15 nieces and nephews. William lived a life marked with sincere relationships, great enthusiasm for his community and families’ passions, led by a strong faith, and a life-long love for his alma mater Texas A&M University. He was especially a hero to his beloved wife, children, and nephew Zane.
William grew up in San Antonio where he went to John Marshall High School and played for the Rams baseball team. After a year of playing baseball at San Antonio College, William moved onto attend Texas A&M University where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction. During his time at Texas A&M, he met and soon after married his college sweetheart, Merry Kathryn Moskal.
After graduation William began his career in Houston, in the linear construction industry. Several years later, with his new family, he returned home to San Antonio to join Raba Kistner, where over the course of the next 30 years, William would build a tremendous legacy marked by the impact made on his business, community, family, and friends.
William sought to be a catalyst for positive change in his community, and was seen as a civic leader in San Antonio. Since 2000, he served on the NISD Citizens Bond Committee where he continued to serve as the PAC Treasurer while having helped pass over $3 billion in school bonds to help with the district’s growth. In 2015, William was recognized as the “Pillar of Citizenship” by Northside Independent School District honoring his legacy of community engagement which continues to foster excellence today. His devotion to the community spilled into the city of San Antonio, where William would be instrumental in leading fundraising efforts to pass additional municipal and educational bonds over the years, including an $850 million Alamo City measure, the largest bond in San Antonio’s history, and the 2017 Alamo Community College District’s $450 million campaign.
William was deeply passionate about the growth and future of the city, and community he grew up in, and through this he became a key volunteer for over nearly three decades to the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF.) As of 2019, he served on the SAEDF Executive Committee. In the same year, William was appointed to the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority board by County Judge Nelson Wolff.
William’s love and devotion for Texas A&M University was well known outside of just Football season. When not at every home football game with his family, he served as a member of Texas A&M Chancellor’s Advisory Council Executive Committee as a Vice Chair, the Construction Advisory Industry Council, The University System PAC as Vice Chairman, and The Advisory Panel for the Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) with The University System. He was also instrumental in the development of Texas A&M University – San Antonio, from conception through the development of the existing local campus, serving as a founding member of its Foundation Board. In 2017, William was awarded the Distinguished Alumni award by the Texas A&M School of Architecture, but some may say his biggest honor was having the chance to be the principal in charge of Raba Kistner’s project management role in the redevelopment of Kyle Field at Texas A&M.
If there was one thing William cared more about than his community and alma mater, it was his family. If someone was Tori or Wills’ friend growing up, there was a good chance William had coached them in sports at one time or another (unless it was dance team). He spearheaded the effort and established a youth sports program: Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) at his parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes. William spent many years coaching the Sidewinders baseball team, where many lifelong friendships were made along the way. William served as the O’Connor High School Booster Club President as well.
William’s dream growing up was to marry a pretty Aggie girl and own a ranch. When he was not fishing in Rockport, or elsewhere on the Texas coast, William spent his time in South Texas at the Olmos Grande Ranch. He loved being there, away from the world, and blessed to share his appreciation of the beauty South Texas has to offer with cherished family and friends.
William lived a life of compassion, service, and love for the people around him. His resounding legacy, ingrained by the impact he had on everyone who knew him, will not shortly be forgotten.
The family would especially like to thank our beloved friends and William’s devoted caregivers David Brown, Janet Riojas, and Jenna McKenzie all of whom were with him in his final days.
Heartfelt appreciation to the outstanding nurses and staff of the May’s Cancer Center, Dr. John Floyd, Dr. Andrew Brenner, and Dr. William Kelly for their unrelenting pursuit and dedication to the absolute best care possible for William.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to: North Side Education Foundation, Texas A&M Foundation, Texas A&M – San Antonio Foundation, and May’s Cancer Center.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00PM on Monday, August 23, 2021 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.
Rosary
Monday, August 23, 2021
7:00PM
Porter Loring Mortuary North
Mass
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
11:00AM
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
13715 Riggs Road, Helotes, TX 78023
Pallbearers will be: Wade Brauchle, Jorge Escudero, David Hammon, Ron Matyszczyk, Don E. Moskal, Tony Moskal, Rod Reed, and Kelly Ricks.
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
When Aggies see a need, their energy and their selflessness draw others into the cause, and good things happen.
© 2024 The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, All Rights Reserved