William Michael Katz

William Michael Katz, 59 On Sunday, November 11, 2012, Veteran's Day, Mike died peacefully at home in Lanham, after a long battle with heart disease. Husband of Catherine; father of Michael Jr., Richard, Tina, and Stephen; grandfather of Gabriel and Easton; also survived by a host of brothers, sister, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Family will receive friends at BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rte. 3 South), Bowie, MD on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm. A Funeral Service will be held at Woodlawn Baptist Church, 5001 Church Rd., Bowie, MD on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 10am. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, MD. ****************************************************************************** On Sunday, November 11th, 2012, Veteran's Day, Retired Sergeant First Class William Michael Katz died peacefully at home in Lanham, Maryland, after a long battle with heart disease. Mike grew up in Brentwood, Maryland where his parents taught him core values: the love of family and God, the value of hard work and money, independence through self-sufficiency, and the love of country. Mike enlisted in the Army in August of 1970, where he served in Vietnam and earned several medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and his first Overseas Service Ribbon. After his tour in Vietnam, Mike continued his distinguished service to country and was stationed in Germany, Korea, as well as state-side. Over his military career, Mike was awarded an additional Overseas Service Ribbon, six Army Good Conduct Medals, Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal, and three NCO Professional Development Ribbons. When Mike retired from the Military, he moved back home to Maryland to be closer to his family. His devotion to public service led him to join the Post Office in 1990, where during his career; he was loved and respected by many. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him, as friends, family, and colleagues will attest. On Memorial Day in 1991, it was fate that brought Mike to the "Love of his Life", Catherine Sullivan. It was Destiny that compelled Cathy to move back from Florida over the July 4th holiday to be with him. Cathy and Mike were married on Valentine's Day and raised four wonderful children together. Mike is the first son, of the late William Spalding and Doris Beckert Katz. His father was a committed member of the Carpenters Local #132 and served in Army during the conclusion of World War II. His mother was a loyal and dedicated civil servant with the USDA and received numerous awards, one of which was a Departmental Honor Award for her participation in the Persian Gulf War. Mike's maternal grandfather, Paul Joseph Beckert, served in WWII and was a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. Mike's paternal grandfather, Abraham Jacob Katz, served in WWI. Mike was the great-great grandson of Brigadier General Joseph Gerhardt, who formed the first volunteer group to protect the District of Columbia at the onset of the Civil War. He was a delegate to President Lincoln and a staff assistant of General Ulysses S. Grant. Mike was the great grandson of Julius Independence Gerhardt, who was born on the Fourth of July. Survivors include three sons, William M. Jr., of Lanham, Richard L. Sullivan, of Lanham, and Stephen A., of Bowie; one daughter, Tina M. Sullivan, of Lanham; four brothers, David A., of Bowie, Paul J., of Gambrills, Gregory T., of Laurel, and Thaddeus J., of Odenton; five sisters, Deborah K. Pueschel, of Jacksonville, FL, Sandra L. Katz, of Gambrills, Janice L. Rokos, of New Carrollton, Lorraine K. Katz, of Gambrills, and Linda D. Roudebush, of Elkridge; two grandchildren, Gabriel and Easton, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.