William R. “Bill” Granberry passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a life well lived in commitment to his faith, family, and career.
Bill was born on May 24, 1942, in Houston, Texas, to Imogene Robinson and R.C. Granberry. Raised in Corpus Christi, he graduated from W.B. Ray High School in 1960 where he was a proud member of the 1959 state championship football team. That team spirit and drive permeated his personal and professional life.
Bill earned both a Bachelor and Master of Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1966. While at UT, he was inducted into the Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi, and the Petroleum Engineering Honor Society, Pi Epsilon Tau. He was also a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. A lifelong Longhorn, Bill’s loyalty to UT never wavered—especially when it came to football.
While Bill loved UT, his greatest love was his high school sweetheart, Susan Mattiza. Bill and Susan were married on January 23, 1965, and spent the next 60 years building a beautiful life together. Bill’s work led them around the country with their two girls, Kim and Lynn. They made great friends everywhere they went and enjoyed traveling the world with them—especially to its most beautiful golf courses. Most recently, their greatest joy came from time with their girls and their families, including the six grandchildren they adored.
Bill began his career with Amoco in Odessa, Texas, and went on to make a lasting impact in the oil and gas industry through multiple leadership roles. With Amoco he and Susan spent time in multiple Texas locations as well as Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Colorado. Wanting to come home to Texas, Bill accepted a position at Tom Brown, Inc. in Midland in 1981 and then joined Esperanza Oil & Gas and, later, PG&E Resources and Mineral Development, Inc. in Dallas. Following 11 years in Dallas, Bill and Susan gladly returned to Midland and Tom Brown, Inc. Bill later worked with Midford Energy and Compass Operating and served as a director on the boards of Tom Brown, Inc., Williams Bros., WPX, Legacy, and Mineral Development. Beyond business, Bill generously shared his time and wisdom on the boards of Manor Park and the Midland Petroleum Club.
A man of deep faith, Bill was a devout Christian who actively served his various churches through work on their vestries as well as four terms as Senior Warden for three different churches. He was a committed member and core leader of the Midland Men’s Community Bible Study. His devotion to Christ included his work with the foster parent program at High Sky Children’s Ranch. He was deeply grateful for Christ Church Anglican where he worshipped until the end of his life.
Bill loved God, his family, golf, and cheering on the Texas Longhorns. He was a man of integrity, humility, and warmth—known for his leadership, skilled mediating, wise mentoring, and deep commitment to those he loved and served. He spread laughter and joy wherever he went, always at the center of a good party.
Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Susan Granberry; daughters Kim Altizer with husband Jeff and Lynn Alsup with husband Jeff; grandchildren Annie, Ben and Lauren, and Kate Altizer, and Clare, Anna, and Lucy Alsup. He is also survived by his brother Curt Granberry and wife Carolyn, sister-in-law Nancy Harrington, and many extended family members and cherished friends.
Bill’s legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched with his generosity, wisdom, laughter, and unwavering faith.
The family would like to thank Drs. Shylesh Ganta and Dario Beltran and their staffs for their compassionate care, and Bill’s team of caregivers in his last months of life – Olivia Castillo, Stephanie Gonzales, Maria Madrid, Sonia Navarrete and Mary Pena.
A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at Christ Church Anglican in Midland, TX on Thursday, July 31 at 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Midland (911 W. Texas Avenue, Midland, TX 79701), Community Children’s Clinic (1101 E. Front Street, Midland, TX 79701) or Christ Church Anglican (5501 N. Midkiff, Midland, TX 79705) in honor of Bill’s commitment to living out his faith in his community.
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