Our beloved Wesley passed away peacefully November 27, 2014 at home, surrounded by the love of his family. Known by all for his selflessness and zest for life, his family and friends most remember his genuine interest in and compassion for all people, his sense of curiosity and adventure, and his boundless generosity.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Evelyn Waldman, and by his cherished wife, Alice Waldman. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Steve Browning; daughter Sandra Isenberg; grandson Kevin Browning; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Lauren and Brendan Fosberry; granddaughter Merry Ward-Wetherell; and great-grandchildren Christopher and Carly Ward.
Wesley was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 20, 1921. He enlisted with the Alabama National Guard in 1939 and served with the U.S. Army Air Corps as a navigator on a B-17 Flying Fortress. Shot down over Vienna, Austria during World War II, Wesley was a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 1 in Barth, Germany. After liberation, Wesley earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Again called to serve his country, Wesley flew fifty-five missions with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. His many military decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Prisoner of War Medal.
Wesley’s career as a civil engineer spanned more than four decades. During this time, he worked with the International Boundary and Water Commission overseeing building dams on the Rio Grande. During the Vietnam War, Wesley volunteered to serve as a civil engineer with the Navy Corps of Engineers. Later, he served as City Engineer in Kerrville, Texas, and as head of the Austin Water and Waste Water Department.
Happily retired, Wesley filled his life with family and friends: playing with grandchildren, dancing with his beautiful wife “JoJo,” and volunteering at the Veteran’s Hospital. With his typical enthusiasm, Wesley took on the art of watercolor at the age of eighty-seven, and at ninety-three, continued to play chess and win.
Wesley held a deep love for his country and fellow man. His strong faith, adventurous spirit, and brilliant mind shaped his life and work. We will deeply miss our generous and spirited ‘Papa.’
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2014 at Sunset Funeral Home, Austin Highway. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Interment with military honors immediately will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Children’s Shelter at 2939 W. Woodlawn, San Antonio, TX 78228.
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