Mr. William Wallace Cherry Sr.

Cherry graduated from Flatonia High School in 1947 and from Baylor University in 1951. During the Korean War, he entered the United States Navy, attending Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, in November 1951. Following graduation, he spent the next three years in the Pacific. His last assignment was Executive Officer of a Fleet Tug, ATF-110.

Following the war, he returned to Muldoon and became involved in ranching. In 1965, he established an aerial application service business and operated it for over 20 years. In 1984, he was elected to the Flatonia Bank Board of Directors. During his twenty years on the board, the bank experienced tremendous growth and many mergers occurred. Cherry played a key role in these and other decisions until his retirement from State Bank (currently Prosperity Bank) in 2003. Not only did he serve as a board member for the bank, but he also served on the Fayette County Appraisal District Board of Directors for many years, some of which he served as chairman.

Throughout his life, he served as a Flatonia School Board Trustee, a member of the Flatonia American Legion, a Sentry of the Muldoon Woodmen of the World, Master Mason Flatonia No. 435 for 50 years, a member of the Colorado Valley Shrine Club, a member of Pitman Cemetery Assoc. Endowment Committee and a member of the Texas Agricultural Aviation Association. As an ordained Deacon in the Muldoon Baptist Church, one of his most beloved activities was teaching Sunday school for over 40 years.

Cherry is survived by his wife Estella Oeser Cherry of Muldoon, three sons: Chris A. Cherry and wife Susan of Muldoon, Cooper D. Cherry and fiancée Virginia Vinklarek of Muldoon, and William W. Cherry Jr. and wife Lilly of Muldoon and one step-daughter Tammy L. Odstrcil and boyfriend James Baker of Austin; brother-in-law Werner Oeser and wife Carolyn of Brenham. Also surviving Cherry are seven grandchildren: Michael Cherry, Elizabeth Cherry, Phillip Cherry, Cooper Cherry Jr., Adeline Cherry, William W. Cherry III, and Carla Sullivent.

Cherry is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Flatonia. Funeral Services will be 10:00 am Thursday, September 30, 2010 at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Flatonia. Interment will follow at Pitman Cemetery in Muldoon.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www. Smithfuneralhomeflatonia.com

Smith Funeral Home – 128 East 5th Street – Flatonia, Texas 78941

PH: 361-865-3311