Barney Witt

Barney Witt, 67, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Ascension Providence Hospital, Waco, Texas.

Services will be held Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd., Waco, Texas, with Roy Teague, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at McGregor Cemetery, McGregor, Texas. Visitation will be Monday, July 27, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey.

Barney was born in Houston, Texas, to Edward Dene Witt and Sidney Marie Perkins Witt, but primarily lived in Waco, Texas, for much of his life. He attended Provident Heights Elementary, North Junior High School, Midway High School, and McLennan Community College. While still in high school, he started working for KRZI Radio Station at the transmitter and ultimately ended up on the air as the disc jockey, John McCall. This is where he met the love of his life, Lori Bates. They married on November 3, 1979, in Waco, Texas. On September 26, 1991, they welcomed their daughter, Katherine (Katie) Elaine Witt. On June 30, 2017, Katie married James Mazza, adding a son-in-law to the family.

Barney continued his radio career until 1982, when he was hired as a police officer at the Woodway Public Safety Department. He continued a long career at Woodway until he retired as a Captain after 35 years of service. While working at Woodway, he remained on the airways periodically as a football radio announcer for Midway ISD Football. Barney loved music, playing his guitars, sailing, playing basketball, playing tennis, going to the beach, and hanging out at the Waco Family YMCA where he most likely did more socializing with his many friends than working out. In addition, he loved driving his Beamer with Lori and watching movies with his faithful dog, Buddy. He was also a member of the Board of Directors at the YMCA for a period of time. Some may remember Barney as their D.A.R.E officer in addition to his partnership with Midway Middle School as their school resource officer.

Friends and family described Barney as “full of love, kindness, and patience” and “full of peace and joy-THE BEST”. Barney will always be remembered for his fun, positive personality, his great stories, and how he always had a way of making us laugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Billy Bates.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lori Witt, who will miss him terribly; his daughter, Katherine Elaine (Katie) Witt Mazza and her husband, James Mazza of Waco; and his brother, Kenneth Dale Witt of Waco; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Bates of Hewitt; his brother-in-law, Bryant Bates of McGregor; and many extended family members.

Pallbearers will be the Woodway Public Safety Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to Waco Family YMCA, 6800 Harvey Drive, Waco, TX, 76710.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Barney in his “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.