William George Heimlich
William George Heimlich, 80, died in his home on Jan. 26, 2025.
A resident of Mount Gilead, Ohio, he moved to Houston, Tex., due to the much better weather and his love for the game of golf.
He was born Oct. 5, 1944, to Victor S. and Donna D. (Whiteamire) Heimlich in Galion, Oh.
William graduated from Mount Gilead High School in 1962 and then Ohio State University in 1967, as a pharmacist.
He worked for himself co-owning his own pharmacy in Columbus, Oh., and had a very successful career with Walgreen’s Drug Company, first as a store manager/pharmacist, and then he became a district manager for over 25 years.
On July 4, 1978, he began dating the love of his life, Tencha. They were married on Oct. 5, 1979, and made their home in Houston.
Family was his number one priority. He loved his family and close friends.
Bill loved to travel, taking many vacations with his family when the kids were little, driving for hours across the U.S. to the mountains and beaches.
He continued to travel with his loving wife after the kids were all grown, traveling all over the world, enjoying his retirement thoroughly. He loved the water, teaching us all how to swim using his “sink or swim” method. We never sank and all know how to swim. Bill was always documenting the special moments with his photography.
In retirement, he took up golf. He loved the game and spent hours on the golf course perfecting his game. He was a member of Bay Oaks Country Club and the BOOB’s, which stands for Bay Oaks Old Boys Society, and loved his golf buddies.
Sports were his passion. He spent many hours watching different sporting events and could talk on the topic endlessly. His alma mater, The Ohio State Buckeyes, were No. 1 to him. Nothing else mattered.
Bill was involved with the Houston chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Association for several years. He volunteered with the Back to School programs with supplying backpacks to the needy. At Bay Oaks Country Club, he volunteered as an ambassador to new members, golf and several other committees.
William is survived by his wife of 45 years, Tencha; his five children, Juan (Sandra) Chapa, San Antonio, Tex., Christina Goins, Iola, Armando (Monica) Heimlich, Pearland, Tex., Brenda Heimlich-Birney, Scott City, and Leah (Tad) Delsing, Alliance, Nebr.; 11 grandchildren, Chloe Chapa, Calvin Chapa, Justin William Trester, Karen (Jeff) Keithly, Robert (Micheala) Goodner, Matthew Heimlich, Jesse (MaryAnn) Birney, Cole (Tommie) Birney, Alexa (Justin) Kembel, Dylan Kersley, and Gavin (Logan) Delsing; 13 greatgrandchildren: Caiden Cloud, Korbin Cloud, Braylon Keithly and Leighton Keithly, Gracelynn Goodner and Reid William Goodner, Bentley Smith, Jacksyn Smith, Lyncoln Smith, Annie Smith, and Andrew Kembel, Mia Birney, and Remi Delsing; one brother, Max (Bonnie) Heimlich, Fallbrook, Calif.; a nephew, Kohle Heimlich, Los Angeles, Calif., and niece, Kristen Heimlich, Fallbrook, Calif.; as well as numerous close friends he had made over the years through his career, love of travel and golf.
He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Felipe and Maria Rodriguez; and great grandson Jayden Lee Smith.
A Celebration of Life will be held and announced on a later date.
Memorial donations are suggested to the American Heart Association https:// www.heart.org/en/getinvolved/ ways-to-give. The family thanks you for your charitable donation.