William Edward Horvath Jr.

William Edward Horvath Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, lifelong friend, and Navy Veteran, passed away peacefully from natural causes on September 21, 2026, at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, surrounded by his beloved family. He was 79 years old.

William was born on June 23, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Gussie and William Horvath Sr. He grew up in Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he met the love of his life, Margie Dell Blount, his high school sweetheart.

Their love story began when William gave Margie a plastic ring when they were children in second grade. Years later, that childhood promise became a lifelong love. William and Margie were married on September 3, 1966, when they were just 18 and 19 years old. They shared more than 60 years of love, marriage, devotion, and partnership, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary together just weeks before his passing.

Together, William and Margie built a life filled with family, adventure, hard work, and countless memories. They lived and spent time in Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Missouri, eventually making their homes in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Ozark, Missouri. They were blessed with two beloved children and a growing family who meant everything to William.

William proudly served his country in the United States Navy and Navy Reserve. During his time in the Navy, he formed a lifelong friendship with Steven Elyasevich, who served alongside him. Their friendship continued long before and after their military service and became one of the treasured lifelong friendships in William’s life. Steven’s wife, Karen Elyasevich, was also a cherished part of that friendship and their extended circle of family and friends.

William was blessed with many wonderful lifelong friendships. Helen and Mike Stanley remained important and dear to him throughout the years. Bill and Lucille Paschal were also very good friends who held a special place in William’s life. These friendships were built on years of shared experiences, loyalty, laughter, love, and countless memories that William carried with him throughout his life.

After his military service, William built a career working with his hands and retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the IBEW-NECA union. He was a talented and hardworking man who could build, repair, create, and figure out just about anything. Construction projects were among his many talents, and he also enjoyed painting pictures and working on classic cars.

William lived life with an adventurous spirit. He loved riding his Harley in the mountains, camping, hiking, hunting, golfing, and spending time in the country. When he was younger, he enjoyed racing dirt bikes. He especially loved exploring the outdoors with his family, including trips to Colorado and the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico, where he enjoyed caving.

Above all, William loved his family. His greatest joy was spending time with the people he loved, sharing stories, working on projects, traveling, and simply being together. He was a man who valued the people who stood beside him throughout his life, whether they were family, fellow veterans, neighbors, or lifelong friends.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Gussie and William Horvath Sr.; his son, William Edward Horvath III; his sisters, Brenda Northcutt and WillaDean; and his nephew, Little Jimmy Cooper and his father, Big Jimmy Cooper.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Margie Horvath; his daughter, Shannon LaBlount; his grandchildren, Jassim Nguyen, Phoebe Nguyen, and Bryeanna Nguyen; his sister, Sally Cooper; his nieces with their mates Renee and Dwayne Robinson, Jamie and Jackson Irvin and their children; and his brother-in-law, Roger Frakes, along with his twin nephews Jason and Derek Frakes, who lived next door as neighbors in the country.

He is also survived by his lifetime best friend, Steven Elyasevich and his wife, Karen; his lifelong friends Helen and Mike Stanley; and his dear friends Bill and Lucille Paschal, along with many extended family members and friends whose lives he touched throughout the years.

William will be remembered for his strong hands, adventurous heart, generous spirit, love of family, devotion to his country, and the enduring love he shared with Margie. From the little plastic ring he gave his childhood sweetheart to more than six decades of marriage, their love story remained at the center of his life.

He leaves behind more than memories. He leaves behind a family, a legacy, friendships that lasted a lifetime, and a love that will continue through the generations.

Rest peacefully, William. You were deeply loved, and you will be forever missed.