Dile Ray Walthall

Dile Ray Walthall, 91, of Gonzales went to be with his lord and savior Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019.  “Ray” as he was casually known, was born April 8, 1927 in Mineola, Wood County, Texas to Joseph and Lila Reed Walthall.  Ray married Wyndola Warren on Jan. 11, 1948 in Weatherford. He was a member of Gillett Baptist Church.

Ray was happiest behind the pulpit where he preached for almost 45 years after retiring from over 20 years of honorable service in the US Air Force.   Ray had been stationed in Germany, Japan and France to name a few, but in his deployment to France, Ray was able to bring his entire family with him for his three-year deployment. 

Ray had pastored several churches in serving the lord.  He was an associate pastor of Harmony Baptist Church in New Braunfels, the pastor Clark Baptist Church in Gonzales and he pastored Gillett Baptist Church for nearly 30 years.

Dile Ray was known to all as Popsie.  He dearly loved his family and was always a jokester.  He was a loving and generous father.  He was supportive of his wife, children and grandchildren and he was their shepherd in leading them to Jesus.  His hand was always open to his children and his word steady and assuring, just as he was with all that came to him for help. 

Ray enjoyed fishing when the opportunity presented itself.  He savored time spent in his vegetable garden but most of all he loved tinkering with radios and television sets. 

Dile Ray Walthall is survived by his adoring family, daughters and sons-in-law, Charlotte Ann and Gary Sherburne of Round Rock, Nancy Lou and Bobby O’Neal of Gonzales, Glenna Annette and John Atkinson of Cedar Hill; son, Daymond Ray Walthall of Gonzales; grandchildren, Kimberley Ann Moushon “Mike”, Kyle Sherburne “Chelsea”, Brian Sherburne “Christin”, Bobby O’Neal, Jr. “ Laura”, Erin Heller, Josh O’Neal “Araceli”, Jenna Nething “David”, Jillian Atkinson and Corbin Atkinson “Natasha Wolfenbarger”; and 16 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, sisters, Clara Gilbreth, Bonnie Middleton and brother, J.L. Walthall.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Ramirez officiating.  Interment will follow in the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery.  Pallbearers are  Kyle Sherburne, Brian Sherburne, Bobby O’Neal, Jr., Josh O’Neal, Corbin Atkinson and Mike Moushon.  The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5 - 7 p.m. in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.  Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.  Friends may leave their condolences by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com.  Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.