WILLIAM “BILL” PAUL ORTH

1932-2021

William (Bill) Orth, age 88, passed away on July 10, 2021 at his home in Sugar Land, TX. His wife of 64 years,

Rita, was by his side. He lived a long life, which by his own words, was filled with

blessings. His heart was always full of gratitude to God for these blessings.

He was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 11, 1932. He was the third of five children born to Helen (Fleming) and Leonard Orth. Bill’s lifelong deep Catholic faith had its roots in this family. The Orths moved frequently. As a result, Bill attended seven different schools before graduating from St. Patrick’s High School in Kankakee, IL. As Bill used to say, he had to learn to make friends quick! He attended St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN. After one year, he enlisted in the Navy where he served as an Electronic Technician for four years. After his service, he enrolled at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. It was there he met his future wife, Rita Bregenzer, also a student at Marquette. They were married on August 24, 1957 just before their senior year. After graduation, he was hired by Simmons Mattress Company as a salesman. He spent his entire professional career with Simmons and Sealy Mattress Company in sales and management. After retirement, he attended St. Thomas University in Houston and received a Masters in Pastoral Studies.

Bill and Rita had five sons, Chris, John, Mark, Matt and Joe. In their teens, two foster children, Kim Vo and Carole Lanyon, joined the Orth family. Bill had numerous job titles but his favorite title of all was “Dad”. He loved being a father and he was the best. Not only did his children love him but he was a favorite of the neighborhood children who would often knock on the door to ask if Bill could come out and play. Not surprisingly, all of Bill’s sons followed in his footsteps in sales related and management careers. Bill loved to travel. He delighted in treating his entire family to overseas trips. He was also a beloved husband to Rita ... generous, kind, funny and so easy to live with.

Bill was a living example of his deep Catholic faith to his family, friends and the Church community. He was a member of the Happening Retreat Team in Dallas and founder of the Houston Beginning Experience Retreat for Divorced and Separated Catholics. For his work in this area, he received a Papal Commendation. He was also a high school religious education teacher and a parish usher, lector and Eucharistic Minister. But most of all, he was a good man - loved by many, even by those who don’t love many. We loved him very much, but our hearts are at peace knowing that he is with God who loves him even more than we do.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rita, sons and their wives, Chris and Marlane, John and Kerry, Mark and Kelly, Matt and Maureen, Joe and Kelly and Thu-Suong Vo, brothers, John Orth and David Orth, sister, Mary Orth, 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Predeceased include son, Kim Vo, sister and husband, Sue and Bruno Randles, sister-in-law, Cathy Orth, and sister-in-law Mary Beth Orth.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 18th from 2-5 pm at Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home, 15015 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478. A brief religious service will be held at 3:15 pm on Sunday. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 19th at 10:00 am at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77479.