Charles William (Bill) Philpott, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and teacher passed away on November 3rd, 2023. After 91 years, Bill simply ran out of time to fully pursue the vast array of interests that continued to relevantly evolve in his brilliant mind.
Bill’s homes in the Texas Panhandle and on the Gulf Coast are buried in books and art – never enough to satiate his voracious appetite for learning. Strong personal values of family, faith, compassion, and teaching were woven into the fabric of his being. The Panhandle fed his love for a wide open sky, rugged caprock canyons and long summer days during wheat harvest. It also provided space for Bill to create numerous memories with his family such as kite flying contests, lawnmower races, and driving lessons for his pre-teen grandchildren. His annual gun safety class was considered mandatory before the competitive family skeet shooting began; Bill was an excellent shot.
Mild winters in Rockport were the offset. He loved all things nautical, stalking reds and chasing kings, followed with development of his own artistic abilities later in life. Bill found peace gardening or behind an easel bringing his lyrical ideas to life on canvas while dually experimenting with colors reflecting temperature and the spectrum of light.
Bill was proud to be a veteran. After serving in the Army Medical Corps during the Korean War, he pursued his academic interests. In 1956, he graduated from Texas Tech University and went on to earn his Ph.D. from Tulane University. He furthered his studies with a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard University where he began novel investigative research at Woods Hole using an electron microscope in search of a cure for cystic fibrosis.
While at Tulane, Bill married the love of his life, Loralee, and together they embarked on a new chapter in Houston. Bill was a professor of cell and molecular biology at Rice University. His dedication to his students and his passion for teaching left an indelible mark on the countless lives he touched throughout his career. The pursuit of education and personal growth was a driving force in his life while remaining firmly rooted to his humble Texas origins.
Bill had a quick wit and a musical soul. He was known for his ability to spontaneously erupt with a tune on his harmonica or launch into a Shakespearean monologue. His puns were legendary, always ready with a clever play on words to enhance any conversation. Bill was also a chef. After an all-day effort in a demolished kitchen, his renowned vegetable soups and savory baked hams would be coveted. Each family member shared cooking classes with Bill, and a bit of wine, learning the scientific principles of chemical combinations and reactions that would turn ordinary recipes into a gourmet meal. Bill was our Renaissance man.
Bill shaped our lives through his advocacy of what the land could provide, his encouragement of any dream, and his sponsorship of any opportunity pursued through curiosity and hard work. His warm heart and humor, and unwavering love for his family will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was born on January 29th, 1932, in Canadian, TX, to George and Reba Johnson Philpott. Bill is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his loving wife, Loralee Philpott, his two children, Charles Philpott (wife Joann), and Pamela Human (husband David Human), as well as his cherished grandchildren, Lauren, Henry, Juliet Philpott, and Travis, Mitchell, and Anna Blair Human. Bill and Loralee also hosted 3 exchange students: Matteo Moles, Dirk Hagmaier, and Josef Kriecherbauer who became sons and brothers and forever part of our family.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a future time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bill Philpott to Rockport Center for the Arts or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
