WILLIAM VAN CONOVER II
1937-2021
William Van Conover II “Bill” died peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at his home in Houston, TX. He was predeceased by sons William Van Conover III and Chase Meredith Conover. Bill is survived by his wife, Connie Thrower Conover, and his son, Ward Sanders Conover and wife Dianne; and Connie’s children, Lance Thrower and wife Lesley, and Logan Thrower and wife Michelle. He and Connie shared a group of loving grandchildren: Rachel Elizabeth Conover, Erica Leigh Conover, Garrett Ward Conover, Katherine Marie Conover and Kaleb Trey Conover; and Luke Thrower, Keaton Calvery, Taylor Jenkins, Isaac Thrower, Ethan Thrower, and Emerson Thrower.
Bill was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on March 27, 1937 to William Van Conover and Margaret Streater Conover. His Grandparents were William Bone Conover and Cora Musch Conover. Bill was an only child, but he and his first cousin James Edward Taussig were like brothers. Jimmy always said that Bill was his only living “blood” relative, much to the amazement of their children. As a young boy he spent every summer at his granny’s house in Lake Charles playing, fishing, and waterskiing behind Jimmy’s boat on Prien Lake with the rest of the cousin posse that also included Connie Averett Gratten and George Gratten.
In 1947, his family moved to Houston where Bill attended St. John’s School before graduating in 1955. He attended University of Arizona for two years before coming home and going to University of Texas in Austin where he earned a BBA and then on to University of Texas Law School earning a LL.D. After graduating from UT Law School, Bill began his career counseling numerous friends and many family members in the practice areas of trust, wills and estates. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was very active in the oil and gas industry including exploration.
He loved sharing the finer things in life with his adult grandchildren such as taking granddaughter Rachel to the symphony, Nutcracker ballet, golfing, and wine tastings at River Oaks Country Club. Bill always appreciated good music and was a long time supporter of the Houston Symphony POPs series. On Friday nights he frequently attended the Symphony with his longtime friend Carmen Bagby and his oldest granddaughter Rachel. Recently, because he was too ill to attend the Very Merry POPs, Rachel live streamed it for him. He loved it. Ward loved being outdoors with his dad, whether hunting, fishing or exploring national parks.
Bill loved all things golf. Every day of the week you could find Bill on the course. He started playing early in life when his dad, William Van Conover, was the first club champ at Lake Charles Country Club, and it soon became his lifelong passion. He even made a golfer out of his wife Connie. When they married she was an avid tennis player, but he quickly converted her to his passion GOLF! On any given day you could find Bill playing golf, watching golf tournaments on TV and pulling for whatever player was on his fantasy team. He traveled all over the world to play the top courses. He loved to watch golf lessons and tips on his iPad, then forwarded them to ALL his friends, much to their dismay.
Due to the current Covid restrictions, a small family gathering in Lake Charles, Louisiana is being planned at this time. Bill will be laid to rest in his family mausoleum with his father, uncle and son. The small family service will be live-streamed via zoom for those not in attendance.
Bill was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Houston and a 35 year member of its Usher Guild where he made many lifelong friends. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests, with gratitude, that memorial contributions in Bill’s name be made to the Good Samaritan Foundation, 3262 Westheimer Rd., Suite 764, Houston, TX 77098 or to the Nehemiah Center/ Christian Education for At Risk Children, 5015 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77004.
The family would like to say thank you to Houston Hospice and to nurses Erica MacIntosh and Gabriel Oladimeji.
Johnson Funeral Home, Lake Charles, LA.