CHARLES W. “BILL” SOLTIS 1933-2015
August 3rd, 1933 - August 5th, 2015 CHARLES W. “BILL” SOLTIS passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at his home in Houston, TX on August 5th, 2015. A devoted husband and father of four, Bill was a constant source of strength and inspiration to all who knew him.
He attended St. Thomas High School and Texas A&M University where he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and served in the Corps of Cadets. A lifelong Aggie and a great believer in the power of a good education, Bill continued to give back to Texas A&M throughout his life. In 2010, he received the university’s highest honor, the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Bill was both an entrepreneur and inventor. He started three successful businesses in the fields of commercial heating and air conditioning, air-filtration technologies, and cleanroom design; and held numerous patents that significantly impacted the fields of medicine, information technology and engineering.
Family was the most important thing in his life. Throughout their fifty-four year marriage, Bill and Wanda shared a love that was an example to all.
A love for the wonder and beauty of the Costa Rican rainforest eventually lead Bill and Wanda to buy and preserve 250 acres in Costa Rica and to build a research and education center on adjacent land, donating it in 2009 to Texas A&M University. The TAMU Soltis Center for Research and Education will remain a living legacy to one man’s passion for the preservation of nature for future generations, his belief in the importance of high impact learning and the necessity of international experiences for a well-rounded education.
He is survived by his son Kyle Soltis (Tiffany); daughters Kim Soltis Hammer (Matt), Kay Soltis Devloo, and Karen Soltis Bednarz; grandchildren John and Jake Soltis, Caitlin Hammer, Michael Devloo, Suzzette Devloo James (David), Kristen Bednarz Burney (Mark), Kelli, Korey, and Klaire Bednarz; four great grandchildren; and Travis Bednarz, who was like a son to him until the very end.
Visitation will be from 5:00-6:00 pm on Sunday, August 9th, 2015 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St John Vianney, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079 at 10:30 am on Monday, August 10, 2015
Memorial donations to the Soltis Center may be made online at www.txamfoundation.com, under “Give Now” or mailed to Texas A&M University, 401 George Bush Dr, College Station, 77840. Please write that the funds are intended for the “512827Soltis Center Improvement Fund.”