William Montgomery GIRARDEAU

William Montgomery Girardeau, Jr., died Saturday, June 11, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. Bill was born July 30, 1920 in Jacksonville, Florida to William M. Girardeau and Mackie Owen Girardeau. He graduated from DeLand High School and attended Stetson University before WWII interrupted his education. Bill had a distinguished service record as a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps flying B-24's as a navigator while stationed in Northern Africa and Italy. His plane was shot down returning from a bombing raid and he was missing in action until he was returned via the Yugoslavian underground to his home base to continue flying. Bill returned home after the war to marry Geraldine A. Ario, his beloved 'Gerry'. Bill and Gerry celebrated 60 years of marriage in November 2004. After a brief career with the Florida Road Department and the birth of his first child, Susan, he accepted a position with the Texas Highway Department district office in Beaumont, Texas and continued his engineering degree at Lamar State University. In Beaumont, they welcomed the birth of their son Jim. In 1959 the family moved to Austin where Bill worked as a bridge engineer in the state office until his retirement in 1982. He was an active member of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, retired as a Lt. Colonel from the Air Force reserve, and was a lifelong devout Episcopalian, serving his churches in many positions from acolyte to senior warden. He was active in St. Mark's (Beaumont), St. George's and All Saints' (Austin), and briefly St. Thomas' (San Antonio). Bill was a man of honor and integrity who lived a life of example to his children and grandchildren. He loved his God, his family and his country, and he served all with heartfelt devotion until the end of his life. He loved engineering, flying, traveling, sailing, carpentry, deer hunting, and deep sea fishing; but most of all he loved spending quality time with his family. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother John. He leaves a loving family and many friends to mourn his passing: his beloved wife of 60 years, Gerry; his daughter Susan and Richard G. Fratcher and their children Rick and Cammie Fratcher, Jenny and John Starcke, and Beth Fratcher; his son Jim and Bobbi Girardeau and their children James and Gena Girardeau, Jeff Girardeau, Eric and Linda Teague, and Laurie Roberts; his great grandchildren Will (his namesake) and Lauren Starcke, Ethan and Aidan Fratcher, Jennifer Holveck, and Alicia and Alec Roberts. MEMORIAL SERVICE SATURDAY 3:00 P.M. ST. LUKE'S ON THE LAKE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 5600 RANCH ROAD 620 NORTH AUSTIN, TEXAS 78732 Friends and family are invited to gather prior to the service at the home of Jenny and John Starcke (3208 Oxsheer Drive in Steiner Ranch subdivision) beginning at 1:00 P.M. A private family interment will follow the service at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association in your community or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the staffs of Independence Hill Assisted Living and The Haven in Stone Oak, both in San Antonio, who made the latter years of Bill and Gerry's time together comfortable and loving, as well as Dr. David H. Pak for his competency and loving care. You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.porterloring.com Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North.