On Thursday, January 26, William Joseph Taparauskas, Jr, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away. He was 75, having just celebrated this milestone with his family. Born to Barbara and William Taparauskas in Birmingham, Alabama, he nonetheless claimed Native Texan roots his whole life. He attended St. Thomas High School in Houston, as well as studied Architecture at the University of Houston. He met the love of his life, Linda Hart, in Pasadena in 1968. They were married in June of 1969 and were newlyweds for the past 53 years.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971, completing his active duty as a First Lieutenant while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He was extremely proud of his service to our country as an officer in military intelligence during the of height of the Vietnam War.
He worked tirelessly in his business career to provide for his family, but was still a very active and present husband, dad, and grandpa. Bill Tap Construction in Bryan-College Station was a successful career milestone and a source of pride for Bill and the family.
Bill had a wide variety of interests and hobbies. He was active in The Association of Homebuilders, Houston Inventor’s Society, Knights of Columbus, Texas Sentinels Foundation, VFW and the American Legion.
Bill holds two United States Patents and was an avid inventor, tinkerer, and outside-the-box thinker. He shared all of his ideas and passions with his sons and grandchildren, including the crazy ones — and he always believed in trying it another way.
He enjoyed camping and fishing with his family and friends. He cherished sharing his fishing knowledge and experience with his sons and grandchildren, and many of the family’s best memories are around a tank or on a pier with him.
Above all of these things, his biggest interest, and the thing that was most important to him throughout his life, was his family. Bill was intensely proud of his two boys and all of his grandchildren. He loved spending time with each of them, attending their ballgames and dance recitals, and celebrating with them in their accomplishments and important milestones.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; son Trey and wife Ann Taparauskas and son Kevin and wife Stephanie Taparauskas; grandchildren, Joseph, Benjamin, Matthew, Sarah, Nathan, and Luke; siblings Kathy Abrecht, Barbara Scherer, Paul Taparauskas, Theresa Taparauskas, Anne Taparauskas, and Dorothy Taparauskas.
He will be missed dearly by his family and friends, as Bill never met anyone that couldn’t ultimately end up a best pal. He was selfless and thoughtful, caring more about the friendship or relationship or the other person’s circumstances than what the relationship could do for him.
We’ll miss you.