William P Griest's Obituary
William P. Griest, 70, of Palm Coast, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, following a sudden illness.
Born on July 8, 1956, in Wilmington, Delaware, Bill was the beloved son of the late Gerald and Vera Z. Griest. He attended Thomas McKean High School and later San Jacinto College before building a rewarding career as an HVAC technician with the Houston School District, where he faithfully served for 26 years until his retirement. Prior to that, he worked for General Motors and remained a proud, lifelong member of the Millcreek Fire Company.
In 2017, Bill married the love of his life, Jinx Kastle Griest. Together they shared eight and a half wonderful years filled with love, laughter, adventure, and unwavering devotion. Bill was a dedicated husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather who treasured every moment spent with his family.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend, Jinx Kastle Griest; his children, William Griest (Stephanie), Lisa Repole (Stephen), Amy Christy (Anthony), Marlo Smi (Brandon), Farrell Welch (Jon), and Alexandria Rihani (Matthew); his brother, David Griest (Michelle); his sister, Karen Blum; his twelve cherished grandchildren; and many extended family members and dear friends whose lives were enriched by his kindness.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Vera Griest, and his sister, Jeri Whitney.
An outdoorsman at heart, Bill found peace in the woods while deer hunting and enjoyed traveling with Jinx to parks, battlefields, and historic landmarks, where he could appreciate the rich history of the nation he loved so deeply. He was a proud patriot who held a deep respect for America's founding principles, cherished the freedoms of this country, and was steadfast in his conservative values. His love for God, family, and country was evident in the way he lived each day.
Those who knew Bill will remember him for his gentle spirit, genuine kindness, compassionate heart, and quiet strength. He had a way of making others feel welcome and valued, leaving a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later date. Though he will be deeply missed, his legacy of love, faithfulness, patriotism, and devotion to family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?