He is preceded in death by his parents, Loron and Lucille Buie; and several aunts and uncles. Bill is survived by his lifetime partner of 33 years, Bob Rogers; uncle, Douglas Boutwell and his wife Maurine; cousins, Shirley Taylor, JoAnn Stubbs, Connie Brown, Joy McNally, Reggie Boutwell, James Boutwell, and numerous other loving relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 15, 2007 at Earthman Downtown Chapel, 2420 Fannin.

A Funeral Mass will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3600 Travis. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Houston SPCA, 900 Portway Dr., Houston, Texas 77024-8022.

Bill & Bob have been longtime members of Greater Heights Democrats Club and we will certainly miss their energy and historical perspective on both politics, but also the GLBT movement.  They are only 1 generation away, and GLBT struggles for equality and respect have improved, but still have a long ways to go.   It is committed couples like BIll & Bob who have proven to the world the validity of same gender relationships, and the power and value they contribute to our local communities.  Bill’s recent phone calling last May to "get out the vote" for the Melissa Noriega Campaign truly made a difference in that race.  Again, we will truly miss the involvement of this dynamic couple and want to support Bob any way that we can in his time of loss.

Published in the Houston Chronicle on 10/14/2007.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 15, 2007 at Earthman Downtown Chapel, 2420 Fannin.

A Funeral Mass will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3600 Travis. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Houston SPCA, 900 Portway Dr., Houston, Texas 77024-8022.

Bill & Bob have been longtime members of Greater Heights Democrats Club and we will certainly miss their energy and historical perspective on both politics, but also the GLBT movement.  They are only 1 generation away, and GLBT struggles for equality and respect have improved, but still have a long ways to go.   It is committed couples like BIll & Bob who have proven to the world the validity of same gender relationships, and the power and value they contribute to our local communities.  Bill’s recent phone calling last May to "get out the vote" for the Melissa Noriega Campaign truly made a difference in that race.  Again, we will truly miss the involvement of this dynamic couple and want to support Bob any way that we can in his time of loss.

Published in the Houston Chronicle on 10/14/2007.

Martha Diaz, another fine Democrat, passed away on October 1. Martha served as precinct chair for Precinct 2 for 40 years. She was one of those “behind the scenes” Democrats who works in the trenches – in the neighborhood — organizing Democrats at the grassrooots, all without personal glorification or ambition. And she did that for forty years!

Lyndon Johnson was President of the United States when Martha Diaz first became a precinct chair in Harris County. The Vietnam war was just beginning. No person had ever set foot on the moon. Forty years of dedicated service to the Democratic Party is a remarkable accomplishment and a true inspiration to all of us.

Martha’s daughter Kathryn Diaz-Garcia continues the family tradition, serving as precinct chair for Precinct 501. To her and her four brothers and sisters, and to Martha’s twelve grand children, three great grandchildren, sister, and other family members, the Harris County Democratic Party extends its deepest sympathies.

And as importantly, its profound appreciation for four decades of faithful service to the Democratic Party.

MARTHA DIAZ, age 82, born August 22, 1925 in Houston, Texas to Manuel and Victoria Angel Velasquez, entered into eternal rest on Monday, October 1, 2007 in Houston, Texas. Martha was preceded in death by her loving husband, Porfirio F. Diaz, Sr. as well as her parents. She is survived by her children, Dolores Sorola and husband Joe, Porfirio F. Diaz, Jr. and wife Honora, Carolyn Musslewhite, Patricia Diaz Garza, Kathryn Diaz Garcia and husband John; grandchildren, Christina Santillan, Joseph Sorola II, Martin Sorola, Orianna Diaz Frankie, Porfirio Francis Diaz, Ariel Diaz, Matthew Musslewhite, Jeffrey Musslewhite, Kathryn Musslewhite, Mildred Musslewhite, Mark Garza, and Christian Garcia; great-grandchildren, E.J. Santillan, Alexander Santillan, and Elizabeth Musslewhite; and her sister, Rita Ratcliff. A visitation will be 1:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at Earthman Downtown, 2420 Fannin Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 4, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1505 Kane Street. The Rite of Committal will follow at Hollywood Cemetery, Houston, Texas.

Published in the Houston Chronicle on 10/3/2007.