William Walter Weisz

William Walter Weisz, Jr. was born in St. Louis, MO, to William Walter Weisz, Sr. and Annette Wendemuth, on Sunday, February 19, 1928. Together with his older sister, June, the family stayed in St. Louis until the mid-1950s. During these years, Bill became a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan.

During his elementary years, Bill found two passions, music and a desire to know the Lord. Though his family did not share his passion for religion, he made his way to church and bible study to learn more. He found great comfort in the bible and was a lifelong scholar-often changing churches when the ministry's interpretation of the scripture veered from the biblical text.

His more public and social persona was as a piano player. He began taking lessons at age eight, started getting paid to play at 14, toured and played with various bands for over 70 years, and performed his last gig at the age of 91. He loved jazz, Dixieland and big band music but could play absolutely anything, in any key, in any style. Many of Bill's lifelong friends were connected to either music, religion, or both.

Bill went to Washington University to study chemical engineering before enlisting in the Army during WWII. He was honorarily discharged at the rank of Sargent. Once home, he studied for two years at the St. Louis Institute of Music, then went "on the road" throughout the US and Canada.

Professionally, Bill spent 30 years at Sherwin Williams Paints, retiring in 1990 as the Albuquerque City Manager. (He was especially proud to have his grandson, Danny, become a SWP manager in Albuquerque this past year.)

Bill outlived four wives, suffering greatly after the death of his last wife, Dorothy Haygood. A former stockbroker and model, Dorothy was his kindred spirit. They shared 24 wonderful years of music, travel and faith together before her passing in 2012.

Bill is survived by his children, David Wade (Mary Ann), Mary Davis (Jason), and Paul Weisz (Christy); grandchildren, Corby Odell (John), Jeremy Davis, Michaela Ridenour (Brad), Meagan Weisz, Tyler Weisz (Samantha), Danny Weisz (Alexa), Shaun Weisz, Bethany Wade, and Amber Dent (Bruce); and great-grandchildren, Savannah Odell, Carter and Jackson Dent, Ashton Ridenour, Brody and Ryder Weisz; niece, Pat Harvey Palmer (Jim); and nephew, Randy Miller (Janice) and their families. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Athena Davis. Also considered his family were the William L. Weir family, Pastor Warren and Elsie Chapman, Rolla Scannell, and Lester Dean Kruger.

Thank you to the many people that were so good to Bill through the years: Dr. Janelle Montoya, Mary from Advanced Home Healthcare, management and friends at The Vineyard, many talented musicians, Rio Grande Jazz Society, and all his friends in Christ.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, April 8, 2022, 1:00 p.m., at FRENCH-University, with a Visitation and Luncheon to begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial with military honors to follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE.