William Jewel Howard Jr., age 76, of Stagecoach TX, went to be with The Lord on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023.

William is preceded in death by his father William, his mother Iris, and his daughter Candace.

William is survived by his wife Karen; sister Deborah and husband Tom; brother Mark and wife Terri, son Christian and wife Stephanie; son David and wife Danyelle; and grandchildren Stella, Joshua, Camryn, Jacob, and Jackson.

William was born in Houston, TX to William J. Howard Sr. and Iris B. Howard on February 25, 1947. He graduated from Waltrip High School in 1965 where he was an active member in Army ROTC and the US Army Reserve. After high school he remained in the Army Reserve and began attending Sam Houston State University. In 1967, he transferred to active- duty and served in the Army Security Agency from 1967 thru 1971 with duty stations over that time at Fort Devens,  Massachusetts, Kagnew Station - Asmara, Ethiopia, and Two Rock Ranch - Petaluma, California. While stationed in Ethiopia, he obtained leave to come home and marry Karen J. Hansen on June 26,1968 in Houston, TX. In 1971, he completed his active-duty obligation and returned to Houston to continue his education while remaining in the US Army Reserve until 1980.

In 1974, he graduated from Sam Houston State University and began his professional career. Over the next 41+ years he worked as an internal auditor and certified fraud investigator for several petroleum companies, including stints with the US Department of Energy, US Customs Agency, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. William continued his legacy of service by being actively involved as a member of Houston Northwest Baptist Church and many civic organizations including LifeGift, GriefShare, American Legion Post 127, The Commemorative Air Force, and the 100th Bomb Group Foundation.

William's passions included loving Jesus, serving others, family gatherings, fishing, target shooting, his sister's "Pucker Pie," anyone's fried chicken, and Thanksgiving turkey necks.