Weldon W. Walker

Weldon Walker, beloved husband, devoted father and grandfather, loyal friend, generous mentor, and man of God, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 31, at First Methodist Waco, 4901 Cobbs Dr., followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. For those who wish to pay their respects, Mr. Walker will lie in state from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.

Weldon was born November 9, 1933, at the height of the Depression, in a house without plumbing or electricity on a dirt road in Billington, Texas. He was the fourth child of R.A. Walker and Flora Mae (Hawkins). He became the man of the house much too young when his older brother, Garland, was wounded in World War II. His father and one sibling had already died, and ten-year-old Weldon felt the weight of the responsibility to look after his mother and sister. Responsibility would become a way of life for Weldon.

Weldon graduated from Waco High in 1952 and went to Texas A&M, thanks to academic scholarships and savings from his paper route and summer jobs. He married Anne Thompson in 1955. Weldon graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1956. He worked as an engineer for Continental Oil Company for only six months before he was called to active duty with the Air Force. He became a KC-97 tanker pilot stationed in Southern California and spent time in Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. He often commented that it was an exciting job he would have done for free seeing the world and having a great time. When he returned from active duty, he became a sales representative for Schmidt Engraving and later, Herff Jones—jobs he would enjoy for 33 years. Anne and Weldon had a son, David, born in 1966. They later divorced. Weldon and David had a shared love for airplanes. They enjoyed making and flying model airplanes and going to air shows.

In 1979, Weldon married Barbara Cooper. Together, they became a new, blended family. He provided a loving sense of stability to her children: Paige, Jennifer, and Austin. Weldon and Barbara were a love story for the ages, enjoying each other and the world together. With God at the center of their marriage, they provided an example to their children and everyone they encountered.

After selling his business, Weldon became a financial advisor with Edward Jones, combining his interest in investing with his natural inclination to care for others. He retired in 2006 due to his failing kidneys and began planning his schedule around dialysis. Weldon filled his time with friends and learning, in addition to three-times-a-week dialysis. The doctors, nurses, med techs, and fellow dialysis patients at Greenway Dialysis Center became Weldon’s second family, helping him maintain life and hope.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, son David, and too many friends to name. We are sure there is already a lively gin rummy game in progress in Heaven.

Weldon is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara; children, Paige (Jeff) McGlothlin of Fort Worth, Texas, Jennifer Baker of Frisco, Texas, and Austin (Edie) Cooper of Aledo, Texas; and five grandchildren: Erin (Todd) Durkee, Ian (Annie) McGlothlin, Maggie (Mike) Carroll, Wyatt Baker, and Katy Baker. He is also survived by his niece, Carol Hunnicutt, and nephews, Steve McAlexander and Sam Maley, all residing in the Dallas area. In addition, a bonus daughter, Nita Tucker of Waco, and her daughter, Maggie.

Additional important people include all of the friends over the years with “The Breakfast Guys” at Harold Waite’s and George’s, along with his church family at First Methodist Church / New Horizons Sunday School class.

Special thanks to Laura Torres, who took loving care of Weldon for the last year, Greenway Dialysis Center, The Grandson Home Care, and Harbor Hospice.

As he thought about the end of his life, Weldon quoted Henri Nouwen: "In a few years, I will no longer be on this earth. The thought of this does not frighten me, but fills me with a quiet peace. I am a small part of life, a human being in the midst of thousands of human beings. It is good to be young, to grow old, and to die. It is good to live with others and to die with others. God became flesh to share with us in this simple living and dying and thus made it good. I can feel today that it is good to be, and especially to be one of many. What counts are not the special and unique accomplishments in life that make me different from others, but the basic experiences of sadness and joy, pain and healing, which make me a part of humanity."

Weldon wrote: "When I am called to join my mother and dad, two brothers, and sister on that rocky, windswept hill in Billington, Texas, my life will have come full circle. I could ask for no greater honor than for there to be someone to say: I knew him well, he was my friend, he touched my life and made it better and made me a better person—I loved him dearly."

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following or a charity of your choice:

• First Methodist Church of Waco
• Meals on Wheels
• Salvation Army
• Waco Symphony Association

We invite you to leave a message or memory of Weldon in his “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.