WILLIAM THOMAS SLICK, JR.
09/17/1923 - 08/11/2022
William T. Slick, Jr. of Houston entered into eternal rest August 11, 2022. He was born September 17, 1923, in Cleveland, Ohio. He is survived by his loving wife Sally Short Slick, children Steven Slick (Mary Lou) and Susan Slick Threatt
(Ed) and sister Clare Ann Slick Way, three grandchildren George E. Threatt Jr., Patricia Katherine Threatt, Katherine Anne Slick, four great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his first wife Patricia Gregg Slick, his parents W. T. Slick, Sr. and Clare Isabel Sheehan Slick, brother Robert Charles Slick and sister Mary Therese Slick Fortney.
In 1942 Bill enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Air Corps Pre-Meteorology Program at Brown University. After the war he returned to Brown, earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering and married Pattie. In 1948 he began his career as a Petroleum Engineer with Humble Oil & Refining Company in Texas, ultimately ending as Senior VP and member of the Management Committee of Exxon USA until his retirement in 1983.
Bill was a lifelong Catholic, active member of Saint Cecilia Parish and led its participation in the Diocesanwide campaign for the Co-Cathedral of Houston. In 1997 he was recognized by Pope John Paul II with the highest award given to laity. He was committed to service in the community.
His involvement with The Salvation Army spanned more than 30 years and included local and national advisory boards. He was founding Chair of the Army’s Houston Adult Rehabilitation Center Board. Bill served on the Board of Trustees at Brown University and University of St. Thomas, Advisory Boards of University of Texas College of Engineering, University of Houston Center for Public Policy and Houston PBS. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of St. Thomas. The University of Houston Alumni Association, University of St. Thomas, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Houston named him “Man of the Year”. He established several scholarships.
Bill enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fly fishing, golfing, gardening, playing bridge and traveling with his wife Sally.
He often said, “I always tried to do my best at whatever job I was given to do. If you do that, and are always honest, everything else will take care of itself.”
A Memorial Mass will be held on August 19 at 10:30 am at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting a donation to The Salvation Army, P. O. Box 2687, Houston 77252, the Father Francis E. Monaghan Scholarship Fund at the University of St. Thomas or the charity of your choice.