Sandra Louise "Sandy" Griesse Heck

Sandra Louise “Sandy” Griesse Heck completed her journey on this earth and entered into eternal life on January 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born on October 17, 1954, in Bonne Terre, Missouri, to the Reverend Wilbert Elfred Griesse and Doris Virginia Schamburg Griesse. Number six of the eleven Griesse children, Sandy, affectionately known as “Weezy,” grew up in a lively and close-knit household where faith, music, and service to others shaped her gentle spirit from the very beginning.

Sandy graduated from Southside High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, as Salutatorian, then earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas in 1976. Demonstrating a strong work ethic even as a young adult, Sandy worked summers during college in the Whirlpool Factory in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A proud Razorback all her life, she carried both her education and her values into a professional career marked by dedication, loyalty, and a true servant’s heart.

Over the years, she worked for the State of Arkansas, Moore-McCormack Resources in Dallas, and Diamond Shamrock Corporation in San Antonio before finding her professional calling at Maxus Energy Corporation. There, her discerning disposition, steady competence, and unwavering kindness led to Sandy being personally selected by Chairman and CEO Charlie Blackburn to serve as his executive and personal assistant.

On February 17, 1996, Sandy accomplished what she considered the greatest blessing of her life when she married William R. “Bill” Heck. Bill often remarks that he was simply lucky enough to “marry up,” and he, too, called their wedding day the happiest, most fortunate day he had ever known.

Just weeks after their marriage, the couple moved from Dallas to Amarillo, Texas. Sandy was quickly indoctrinated into life in the Panhandle and into Bill’s passions and pastimes, especially his love of horses. She worked part-time with the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission while also embracing the joyful responsibilities of caring for their home, their horses, and her beloved border collies, who were always kept in line with patience and a smile.

All of this prepared her for what would become her crowning achievement: the birth of their son, Randall Davis Heck. Sandy took to motherhood as she did to everything in life: with warmth, positivity, faith, and an engaging smile. She delighted in carpool lines, sleepovers, birthday parties, and volunteering at St. Andrew’s Day School.

As Randall grew up, Sandy enjoyed shuttling an active child to sporting events and golf tournaments, rain, sleet, snow, or hail. Her dedication did not go unnoticed. When she was nominated to serve as secretary of the Tascosa High School Golf Boosters, she naturally agreed, and, true to form, took impeccable minutes at every meeting.

A faithful member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Sandy served lovingly on the Altar Guild and spent many years sharing her singing voice with the church choir. Her beautiful voice was a divinely given talent she shared freely. So strong was the joy and harmony of her hymns that to sit near her pew was to believe perhaps your own voice sounded a little better that day. At home, that same music often followed her, soft humming accompanying the quiet rhythms of daily life.

A voracious reader, Sandy rarely went anywhere without a book in hand, right alongside the song in her heart.

Every summer, Sandy looked forward to family vacations to Port Aransas with the Dryden family, often including cherished time with Bill’s lifelong friend, Robert Sellers, whom she so adored. Griesse family reunions in Branson, Missouri, were another annual highlight, as was a beloved Alaskan cruise shared with family. Building memories with loved ones was always a priority and a joy.

Despite her lifelong allegiance to the Razorbacks, Sandy cheered on Bill’s Red Raiders, and she loved them all the more when their son Randall chose to attend and graduate from Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

Sandy is predeceased by her parents, Reverend Wilbert Elfred Griesse and Doris Virginia Schamburg Griesse, brothers Gerald Griesse, Larry Griesse, Dennis Griesse, and David Griesse. Sandy is survived by husband Bill Heck of Amarillo, and son Randall Heck of Boerne, Texas; sisters Debbie Griesse, Martha Griesse Griffin, Beverly Griesse, all of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Susan Griesse (Peter Ham), of Mercer Island, WA; brothers Kurt Griesse (Mary Ann), of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Daniel Griesse of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Jennifer Cantrell and BSA Hospice of the Southwest for their compassionate care, and to the Birthday Angels, Kirk and Marty Cline, and Randy and Robin Dryden for the many acts of kindness, friendship, and support that carried them through this season.

Services for Sandy will be privately held.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Choir, BSA Hospice of the Southwest, or the Alzheimer’s Association.