William B Grantham

William B. “Jack” Grantham, age 100, passed away in Houston, TX after a short illness on January 27, 2019.  Jack was born March 1, 1918 in Poolville, TX to P.S. “Buck” Grantham and Carra Mauney Grantham.  He moved to Rio Hondo, TX when he was four and in his late teens, he moved to Corpus Christi, TX where he would spend much of his adult life.  Jack was working for Firestone Tire when World War II broke out.   He joined the Navy and during his service achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer.  He was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington in the Pacific and was assigned to a squadron to maintain and repair fighter aircraft.  This service inspired him to join and eventually retire from the US Navy Reserves.  He remained close friends with and attended numerous reunions with the crew of the USS Bennington. 

As a civilian, Jack owned and operated service stations in Corpus Christi and Dallas.

Jack embraced life and was always ready to travel and have fun.  As a pilot of his own plane, he enjoyed many trips in and around Texas.  He loved the water and was a frequent fisherman and boater.  He was a big Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs fan.  He loved music – both listening and playing – and dancing.  But most of all, he loved people.  He found joy in engaging and visiting with others and making new friends.

Jack retired in Corpus Christi, TX and lived there until his wife Betty passed, then he moved to live with his daughter in Houston, TX.

He is survived by his daughter Charlotte Ann Krieg (Harvey), his grandchildren Ronald Wayne Grantham, Becky Lynn Kennedy (Kenneth); his great grandchildren, Brendon, Cameron, Ariana, Ethan, Daniella, Fulton and Geneva Hillebrand, his step-children David Wayne Stepter, Camille Ann Tipple, Cathy Renee O'Neill; step-grandchildren, Dustin Colt Hoover, Austin Scott Hoover, Levi Westin Houser, Chandler Camille Musick, Justis Alan Musick, Andrew Miguel Cortes.  He is survived by his siblings P.S. Grantham, Jr., Gloria A. Grimes, and Carra Lee Jackson.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Geneva Mae (Blissit) Grantham, and his wife Betty Ann Stepter Grantham and his son Billy Wayne Grantham, his stepson Phillip Orval Stepter, his granddaughter Susan Christine Hillebrand, and his siblings Alfred Grantham, Sr., Maudie Nash, Mattie Bell Johnson, and La Von Grantham.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Seaside Funeral Home. 

 The family requests any donations be made to the Fleet Reserve Association.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.