Roll Call Tribute

Bill Kalil 

February 10, 1932 - September 16, 2023 

Bill Kalil passed away on September 16, 2023 at the age of 91 in his home town of Houston, Texas. Bill always spoke of how thankful he was for his good health and stayed strong until he passed away due to natural causes.

Bill was born to Martha Atiee and Naum Kalil in San Juan, Texas on February 10, 1932. One of eleven children, seven sisters and three brothers, Bill grew up in a loving family and spent much of his childhood in San Antonio, Texas before moving to Houston, Texas and attending Lanier Middle School and Lamar High School. After graduating high school, he attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a degree in Geology with the Class of 1954. He was a member of the TAMU Corps of Cadets. After graduating, he secured a position with Humble Oil and Refining in Houston, Texas.

In 1955, Bill was proud to represent his country and joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Seville, Spain where he served as Captain until 1958. He then resumed work as a geologist with Humble Oil in Houston. While working for Humble, he met the love of his life, Janet Delmar Jacobs. Bill and Janet married in September of 1960. Their deep love for one another was undeniable over the years. Bill remained with Humble Oil, which became Exxon, until 1975 when he moved his family to Midland, Texas and became an independent petroleum geologist.

During his career, Bill was involved in several professional organizations, to include the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He was very passionate about the AAPG and attended many of their social events and conventions. He also maintained his membership with the Texas A&M Former Students Association over the course of his life.

Bill loved nature. He spent as much time as possible in the Texas Hill Country. He enjoyed hunting with friends, golf, taking road trips throughout Texas and fishing with his daughters. He often expressed his deep appreciation for nature’s beauty.

Bill’s greatest passion was his family. There was nothing more important to him in life. He always put family first in everything he did, and his family knew how valued they were. He was the greatest dad and grandad to his beloved children and grandchildren. He was a regular at their sporting events, dance recitals, and performances. He was their number one fan and couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments, which he eagerly expressed.

Bill’s enthusiasm for life was contagious. He had an excellent sense of humor, loved to kid around, and was always planning something fun! At the same time, he was a very caring man and genuinely took great care of his loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his wife Janet, his parents Martha and Naum Kalil, his brothers Michael and Charles, and his sisters Anne, Mavis, Thelma, Mamie, Helen, Sadie and Kiki.

He is survived by his daughter Karen Kalil Courtney and son-in-law Jack Guy Courtney; his daughter Kimberly Kalil Hillin; grandchildren Luke Kalil Hillin and Maddie Peveto Hillin, Stephanie Kate Hillin, Katlyn Jacobs Courtney, Robert Joseph Hillin, and Kendall Elise Courtney; great grandchildren Charlotte Leigh Hillin and Walker Paul Hillin; his brother Eddie Kalil, his brother-in-law Don Modgling; his nieces Betty Jean Coon and her husband Stan, Jeanne Kalil Hemwattakit, Joanne Kalil Smullen, Diana Lynn Petro; his nephews John Kalil and his wife Susie, Doug Caldwell and his wife Karen, Mark Kalil and his wife Laura, Sam Petro and his wife Ada.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Second Baptist Church in the Hankamer Chapel, 6400 Woodway, Houston, Texas at 3:00 pm on Friday, September 22nd.

Flowers may be sent to Second Baptist Church – Woodway Campus. Anyone wishing to make a donation may visit The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University memorial giving link (Class of 1954)
www.aggienetwork.com/give/memorialgiving/