Gregory Bill McNiel

Gregory McNiel ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home - Giddings on Mar. 9, 2026.Gregory Bill McNiel passed away with his daughter Ashley and sister Danielle by his side on Sunday March 8 in San Antonio, Texas. He is at peace, knowing the love he had for his daughter, his family and his friends was returned to him threefold.Greg was born in Stuttgart, Germany to Billy Gene and Yvonne McNiel, the first of three Army brats. He didn't seem to mind that his two younger siblings were female; he made friends easily and learned early that girls can make forts, be co-conspirators, and run away from a dad (who had just about enough of our shenanigans) almost as fast as he could. The many moves to different countries, different states, and different schools made for a tight trio, and there was much to explore everywhere they lived. Some of his fondest memories were the many visits with his maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and more in Verscio, Switzerland, roaming free and eating well. The McNiel side of the family lived around Rockdale, Texas and the Texas Hill Country. The visits to family there were equally memorable: a paradise for kids, with miles of dirt roads, gullies, climbing trees and a particularly spooky graveyard.Greg graduated from high school in Lawton, Oklahoma, moving on to OSU to pretend he was studying toward a degree. Maybe feeling free for the first time, and having grown up traveling, Greg found it impossible to stay in one place for too long. He joined his family in Austin, Texas, and continued exploring, making friends, and honed his charm and easy affability.Greg met and set his sites on Susie Taylor of Rockdale Texas. They were married in 1982, Greg moved to Rockdale and shared many precious moments with Susie, her daughter Christy, and their own daughter Ashley.In his own words, Greg felt being Ashley's father his highest achievement and his best contribution to this world. He loved her dearly.After they divorced in 1988, Greg's vagabond lifestyle continued and expanded to Florida in the early 1990's. Here he met Trish Michael, who became his companion in life, love, and travel. They enjoyed cruises, golf, world travel and dinners with friends. He and Trish would visit Texas during the holidays, where he was greeted with kisses and love from his sisters and many cousins.Greg served briefly in the National Guard and was a Merchant Marine, working his way up from cook to head steward.Greg was diagnosed with jaw cancer in 2022 and underwent surgery and radiation therapy. Still recovering and in daily pain, Greg's beloved Trish passed away in early 2023. Greg's love of Trish and, sadly, his love of life was gone. A long time AA member, his physical pain and his own heartbreak was overwhelming. His decline was rapid during his last three years. Greg's beloved Ashley and his sister Danielle visited him on the Friday before his death, just a few days after his 70th birthday. It seems likely that hearing his daughter's words of love, Greg felt complete, at peace, and made an internal decision to explore life after death.Greg is survived by his two sisters Francine O'Brien and her husband Timothy O'Brien, and Danielle Howard; his daughter Ashley McBride and her husband Michael McBride; his grandchildren Cayden, ZaNae and Jace McBride, and his great grandson Kyrie Polk. He also leaves behind Natasha Nesbit who cared for and loved him like a daughter and whom he bullied and adored. He was loved and will be missed by many cousins in Texas and friends in Florida.A family gathering to share memories of Gregory Bill McNiel will be private.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.