Memorials

Submit a memorial at texasbar.com/memorials or call (512) 427-1830. For information on closing a deceased attorney’s practice, go to www.texasbarcle.com/materials/closingapractice.html.

Harold R. DeMoss Jr.

DeMoss, 89, of Houston, died April 29, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1955. DeMoss served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1955 to 1957. He was an associate of and partner in Bracewell & Patterson in Houston from 1957 to 1991 and was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in Houston from 1991 to 2015. DeMoss had a deep love and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution. He enjoyed spending time at his bay house at Jamaica Beach on Galveston Island. DeMoss and his wife, Judy, loved entertaining his clerks and staff in Galveston, especially at Christmas. He is survived by his son, Harold R. “Chip” DeMoss III; daughter, Louise Holland “Holly” DeMoss; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Celeste M. Chiaramonte

Chiaramonte, 59, of Poughkeepsie, New York, died February 7, 2020. She received her law degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2002. Chiaramonte was admitted to practice in New York state in 1991. She was an attorney in Poughkeepsie, New York, before moving to Houston. Chiaramonte was a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators. She was an avid animal lover and enjoyed being around horses, dogs, and cats. Chiaramonte started HorseWorthy.com to share her equine passion with others. She is survived by her husband of 12 years, Robert Saucedo; stepson, Garrett Saucedo; brother, Edward Chiaramonte; and sister, Renee Coty.

Billy J. White

White, 86, of Houston, died January 15, 2020. He received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1993. White was an attorney and energy consultant at BJ “Bill” White from 1994 to 2015. He coached and played sports, including basketball in downtown Houston well into his 70s. White was a deacon at his church, a member of the choir, and a Sunday school teacher. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ina J. White; daughters, Janice Sikes, Paula Mousighi, and Catherine White; brother, Bob A. White; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

David B. McCall III

McCall, 73, of Plano, died March 28, 2020. He received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1972. McCall was managing partner in Gay, McCall, Isaacks & Roberts from 1985 to 2018 and a member of the board of Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett from 2018 to 2020. He was a member of the American Bar Association. McCall served as president of the Plano Bar Association from 1976 to 1978 and president of the Collin County Bar Association from 1977 to 1978. He served on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority board, including as chair from 1986 to 1989; on the Baylor University Medical Center Board of Trustees from 1986 to 2003; and on the Texas Commission for High-Speed Rail from 1992 to 1995. McCall was chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee from 1985 to 1986. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Sharon McCall; son, Cameron McCall; daughter, Meredith McCall; stepdaughters, Keshia Peloubet and Arianna Smith; mother, Nellie McCall; brother, James Brian McCall; and one grandson.

Josiah Quincy Hamilton

Hamilton, 51, of Houston, died February 3, 2020. He received his law degree from Cornell Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1996. Hamilton was associate general counsel to Fidelity National Information Services Inc. from 2001 to 2020 and practiced in business, technology, intellectual property, and international law. He served as State Bar of Texas Computer & Technology Section chair. Hamilton received a certificate of merit from the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors and past presidents for outstanding contributions to the legal profession. He was a talented musician, a world traveler, and a software developer and entrepreneur. Hamilton is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jane Elizabeth Hamilton; son, Josiah Quincy Hamilton Jr.; daughters, Bethany Hamilton and Sophia Hamilton; mother, Antoinette Hamilton; and sister, Sarah Hamilton.

Ann Sizemore

Ann Sizemore, 83, of Carrollton, died April 15, 2020. She received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1962. Sizemore was a clerk for the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from 1962 to 1968 and was fund administrator for Laborers’ National Pension Fund in Dallas from 1968 to 2002. After retiring in 2002, she gained asylum in her one and only trial case for a woman from Africa. Sizemore was active in the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, as a member of the vestry, serving as a senior warden, and helping to start the Good Shepherd Episcopal School. She is survived by her daughter, Lu Beth Greene; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson.

Charles L. Waldrum

Waldrum, 76, of Paris, died June 26, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1969. Waldrum was Fannin County district attorney before transitioning into private practice in Paris for 40 years. He enjoyed living in a small town and working primarily as a solo practitioner. Waldrum loved his family; the mountains of Ouray, Colorado; the state of Texas; and Willie Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Waldrum; sons, Randy Long and Tate Waldrum; daughters, Jennifer Long and Blair Wilson; and seven grandchildren.

Thomas Baker Greene III

Greene, 71, of Houston, died March 10, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1975. Greene was a shareholder in Crain, Winters, Deaton, James & Briggs, now Crain Caton & James, in Houston from 1975 to 1994; a shareholder in Ware, Snow, Fogel, Jackson & Greene in Houston from 1994 to 1999; a shareholder in Kajander & Greene in Houston from 2000 to 2004; and in private practice from 2004 to 2020. He was an adjunct professor of legal research and writing at the University of Houston Law Center from 1981 to 1984. Greene was American Journal of Criminal Law editor in chief while at UT School of Law. He was president of the Association of Rice Alumni from 1995 to 1996 and received its Meritorious Service Award in 2005. Greene enjoyed traveling, watching sports, and listening to music, primarily jazz. He was an avid reader of detective, historical, and political fiction. Greene is survived by his wife of 47 years, attorney Ann Patton Greene; son, Thomas Baker Greene IV; daughter, Clare Greene; and sisters, Becky Udden and Jennifer Greene.

Edward Herman Forgotson Sr.

Forgotson, 85, of Miami Beach, Florida, died July 4, 2019. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and his LL.M. from the University of Michigan Law School, and he was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1960. Forgotson was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar in 1964, the California Bar in 1967, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a legal assistant at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in Washington, D.C., from 1960 to 1974; was assistant to the secretary for legislation at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in Washington, D.C., from 1963 to 1964; detailed as deputy assistant to the White House on the developmentally disabled from 1964 to 1965; was an associate professor at the University of California School of Public Health in Los Angeles, California, from 1965 to 1969; a research associate of the RAND Corporation in Los Angeles from 1969 to 1970; and was in private practice specializing in oil and gas law in Dallas and Washington, D.C., from 1970 to 1992. Forgotson served as finance chair of the PAC for presidential dinners from 1981 to 1986. He helped to obtain passage of the National Gas Policy Act of 1978. Forgotson is survived by his wife of 27 years, Ann Yerrick Forgotson; son, Edward H. Forgotson Jr.; daughter, Elizabeth Forgotson Goldberg; and two grandchildren.

Annette J. Mitchell

Mitchell, 73, of Houston, died May 29, 2020. She received her law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1976. Mitchell was an attorney and senior attorney at Damson Oil from 1977 to 1985, an attorney at Total Minatome from 1986 to 1998, and senior attorney and lead counsel exploration and production research and technology to Total E&P USA from 1998 to 2018. She enjoyed opera, international travel, and quilting.

William Carroll “Trey” Book III

Book, 54, of Corpus Christi, died March 14, 2020. He received his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 1992. Book was a partner in Tekell, Book, Allen & Morris. He was an accomplished hunter, rifleman, and fisherman. Book was a kind, generous, and witty man who was devoted to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Shelley Book; father, attorney William Book; mother, Ida Book; and sister, Shey O’Dowd.

Steven Boney

Boney, 69, of Austin, died May 25, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1976. Boney was a solo practitioner from 1976 to 2020. He was honored for his work with Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas. Boney was vibrant and hilarious, and he enjoyed listening to live music. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Karen Boney; sons, Elliot Boney, Finn Boney, and Beck Boney; daughter, attorney Allyson Boney Evans; brothers, Dan Boney and Tom Boney; sister, Annette Veralli; and two grandchildren.

Walter Ray Allen Jr.

Allen, 84, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died February 29, 2020. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1960. Allen served in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1960. He was a municipal judge. Allen was a member of the Garland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He was president of the Garland YMCA Board of Directors and the Texas Municipal Power Agency. Allen was curious and wise and was a lifelong horse lover. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Lou Allen; son, Russell Allen; daughter, attorney Jennifer Allen George; and five grandchildren.

Roger A. “Sonny” Knight Jr.

Knight, 78, of Madisonville, died July 3, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1965. Knight was Madison County attorney for two terms starting in 1968 and was the owner of Roger Knight, Jr., Inc. He was a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates—Houston Chapter. Knight was recognized by the State Bar of Texas for 50 years of service in 2015 and was named an ABOTA—Houston Chapter Warrior of the 7th Amendment in 2018. He was a rancher and raised quarter horses. Knight enjoyed reading, especially history. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Angela Dawn Knight; son, attorney Kevin Roger Knight; daughters, attorney Laurie Louise Knight, Sonnye Alexander Knight, and Griffin Morgan Knight; and three grandchildren.

Robert Earl Wilbur

Wilbur, 78, of Dallas, died May 4, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1966. Wilbur served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was assistant vice president and trust officer of Republic National Bank in Dallas from 1968 to 1970, a partner in Wilbur & Massad in 1970, a partner in Wilbur, Hall & McKenize in 1971, a partner in Taylor Mizell in 1981, a partner in Locke Purnell Rain Harrell & Emery from 1990 to 2000, a partner in Olson Gibbons Wilbur from 2000 to 2001, and in private practice from 2001 to 2018. Wilbur was a member of the Dallas Bar Association and the Dallas Estate Planning Council. He served on the University of Texas School of Law Alumni Association Executive Committee. Wilbur was recognized in “Who’s Who in American Law” in 1996. He was a member of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority Board of Directors; served as president and chair of the board of directors of the National Kidney Foundation Serving Texas; was mayor pro tem of the city of Highland Park; and a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. Wilbur is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy Elizabeth Hughes Wilbur, and daughter, Paige Elizabeth Wilbur.

Michael P. Finn

Finn, 66, of Belton, died July 5, 2020. He served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and Texas Army National Guard from 1974 to 2014. Finn received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1981. He was in trial defense service for the JAG Corps at Fort Hood from 1981 to 1984; an administrative attorney in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate III Corps at Fort Hood from 1984 to 1986; a contract attorney in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate III Corps at Fort Hood from 1986 to 2015; deputy staff judge advocate in the 49th Armored Division of the Texas Army National Guard from 1988 to 1991; deputy staff judge advocate of the 111th Area Support Group of the Texas Army National Guard from 1991 to 1996; staff judge advocate for the 111th Area Support Group of the Texas Army National Guard from 1996 to 2000, including deployment in Operation Joint Guard; and chief of the Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan Justice Ministry Support Team from 2005 to 2006 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Finn received the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award. He ran toward emergencies, not away from them. Finn was in New York negotiating the Fort Hood housing contract on 9/11 and reported to Ground Zero to support rescue efforts and led a group of military volunteers. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping and hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains and Texas Hill Country, canoeing the Boundary Waters, and participating in the Texas Master Naturalist Good Water Chapter. Finn was a loyal and generous friend. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, attorney Amy Flinn; son, James J. Finn; and daughters, Julia M. Finn and Anna M. Finn.

William H. Behler Jr.

Behler, 76, of Spring, died February 23, 2020. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1976 as a helicopter pilot, serving two tours in Vietnam, receiving a Purple Heart, and being honorably discharged as a warrant officer. Behler received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1978. He was first assistant district attorney in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office in Conroe from 1978 to 1988 and was in private practice at Behler & Associates in Conroe from 1989 to 2015. Behler loved shooting and reloading. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara M. Behler; son, William E. Behler; daughter, Laura T. Beck; brother, Robert E. Behler; sister, Doris Gallagher; and nine grandchildren.

Frank M. Pisano

Pisano, 67, of Spring, died May 13, 2020. He received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1980. Pisano was a solo practitioner in Houston, first as a family law attorney and then in criminal, bankruptcy, real estate, and probate law. He represented his clients to the fullest. Pisano was admired by many of his colleagues for his keen sense of humor, love of the law, and belief of making sure he always achieved the best for his clients. He loved to fish, travel with his family, and tell a story. Pisano was an accomplished chef, making any dish taste wonderful. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Deborah Pisano; daughter, Catherine Pisano Picard; brother, Louis Pisano; and three grandchildren.^TBJ

{Back to top}