Billy Anthony Catalena, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and proud Army veteran, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025, at the age of 81.

Born in Sugar Land, Texas, to Rosalie and Tony Catalena, Billy was the middle child of three, and named after his grandfather, a Sicilian immigrant who came to America in hopes of a better life. This tight-knit Sicilian-American family and community instilled in Billy a strong work ethic and the promise of the American Dream – values that forever shaped him.

Billy lived his life as a natural provider and protector – someone who assumed responsibility for others. As a medic during the Vietnam war, he tended to hundreds of returning and wounded soldiers. As an active member of his Catholic church, he served countless people in need by working in food banks and soup kitchens. As a reliable neighbor, he developed many lifelong friendships, and as an animal lover, he cared deeply for several cherished pets.

But most of all, Billy gave his heart to the greatest source of his happiness – family. In 1964, he met and married the love of his life Alice Faye Tesch. Theirs was a storybook courtship between a country girl Homecoming Queen and a passionate Italian city boy. The romance blossomed quickly and remained everlasting. They were blessed to share over sixty years of loving marriage. Together, they raised their one and only child. Billy devoted all of his energy, support, and unwavering attention to giving every opportunity to his son Mark – who remains eternally grateful. Billy treasured time with his in-laws and loved his son's wife Heather as the daughter he never had.

In his spare time, Billy didn't just enjoy watching sports – he relished competing in them. His name stayed near the top of the local Bowling Association leaderboard for a number of years. As a Little League Baseball Coach, he mentored dozens of young players, teaching them the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. As a backyard BBQ grillmaster, his cooking was more Texan than Sicilian. While he enjoyed the comforts of home, he loved taking road trips to Colorado, camping in Brazos Bend, and sightseeing in California.

Billy found his professional calling in the field of Accounting and Finance. He spent 35 years at Curtin Matheson Scientific, a supplier of medical equipment to hospitals nationwide. Later, he spent a decade managing a division at Shell/Pennzoil. To his co-workers and family alike, he exemplified a man with character, who possessed rock-solid integrity and a strong moral compass.

However, Billy was also silly. Known as Papa to his only grandson Lucas, he became a child again. Whether rolling around on the floor, wearing funny hats, playing games, building Legos, or walking through Disneyland, Billy experienced the world anew through his grandson's eyes. This feeling was something akin to the better life his ancestors dreamed of, which gave him immense pride and joy.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents Rosalie and Tony Catalena, his sister Lena Husseini and his brother Frank Catalena. He is survived by his devoted wife Alice; their son, Mark; daughter-in-law Heather; and beloved grandson Lucas.

Funeral Service: 1 pm, Monday, May 12, 2025, at Kubena Funeral Home in Hallettsville with Visitation starting at 12 Noon. Officiant: Deacon Mike Tankersley. Memorials: Donor's Choice. Burial: Hallettsville City Cemetery.