Sunday, May 5, 2024
Maury Edward Stiver passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023, surrounded by his family at The Delaney at Lake Waco.
A memorial service was held in Houston at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 17, with The Reverend Tom Pace officiating. Maury bravely battled Parkinson’s Disease for several years.
Maury was born June 2, 1944, in Clifton, to Jewell and Edward Stiver. In 1952, the family moved to Waco. After graduating from Waco High School, Maury attended Austin College, where he played football for one year. He then transferred to Baylor University, where he enjoyed activities and the friendship of fellow members of Circle K International, a service organization. After meeting the love of his life, Sharon Rose Glass, he joined her at The University of Texas in Austin. There he earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering along with a Master of Science in environmental health engineering, with honors.
Maury and Sharon married in 1966. Maury started his career in Austin with Engineering-Science, Inc. While living in Austin, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve and trained in military intelligence. With his work, Maury was transferred to Washington, D.C., where his office was in The Watergate. Those were three exciting and wonderful years, meeting and working with people from all over the nation. Family and friends visited, and they spent time traveling and exploring the historical sites along the East Coast. Their daughter Leslie was born while they lived in D.C.
Maury and Sharon missed their Texas family and knew it was time to go home. They settled in Houston and their son John was born there. Together Maury and Sharon founded Stiver Engineering, Inc. in 1980. Maury served multiple terms on the Board of the Houston Contractors Association and was a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He also taught engineering at The University of Houston. At the end of his long career, Maury was recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and leading civil engineers in the State of Texas. Many of his clients and colleagues became lifelong friends who enjoyed traveling and spending time together. It gave him great joy to see those relationships continue to the next generation when his son joined Stiver Engineering after college. John is now carrying on Maury’s work and dedication to the field of engineering.
Maury enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his family. Long days at the office were usually followed by weekends spent at Lake Winona or King Mountain Ranch in Coryell County. He had a passion for work, whether it was rebuilding a pier, pushing cedar on his dozer, clearing brush with a chainsaw, planting the native pastures on his tractor, repairing fences, or working the cattle and goat herds. A highlight of his year was family Thanksgiving celebrations, first at the lake, and later in the barn at the ranch.
Maury and Sharon traveled the world, but their favorite trips were with family to Rosemary Beach and skiing the mountains of Colorado. They also loved visiting National Parks and attending art auctions across the western United States with Judy and Louis Collins.
His faith and his community were important to Maury. He was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and the Good Will Class. He served on the Board of the Briarcroft Property Owners Association and Lake Winona Board of Homeowners. He served for a number of years on the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Flint Creek Cemetery and the Flat Water Supply Company.
In a recent conversation about wisdom and advice, Maury said, “always tell the truth.” He led a life filled with truth and love. He instilled confidence, spoke in a quiet manner and was extremely patient. He was a man who had much but needed little. Maury considered his children and grandchildren to be his greatest accomplishments. He was the best Dad and Papa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jewell Witcher Stiver and Edward Noble Stiver; in-laws, Ora Alice Hamilton Glass and Henry Wesley Glass; and aunts and uncles, Sue and S.L. Witcher, Mildred and Dennis Dail, and John Maury Witcher and Frances Stiver.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sharon Glass Stiver; daughter, Leslie and husband, James Culwell Rice; son, John Maury Stiver and wife, Elizabeth Munger Stiver; grandchildren, Megan Kathleen Rice, Hudson Hamilton Rice, Caroline Culwell Rice, John Henry Stiver, and Charles Witcher Stiver; brother, David Witcher Stiver and wife, Ola Mae Baker Stiver; sister, Margaret Stiver Pate; sisters-in-law, Judy Glass Collins and Anne Glass Davis; brother-in-law, Bill Glass and wife, Penny Groom Glass; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers were James Rice, David Stiver, Scott Woodard, Brian Pate, Michael MacGibbon, Derek Munger, John Freeman, Frank Dillard, Pete Peltier, Mark Boyer, Michael Ramirez, and David Davila.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care Maury received during his short time at The Delaney at Lake Waco and by Interim Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Houston Area Parkinson Society, or the charity of your choice.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WBH-family.com.
