Paul Sherwood Wakefield

Anyone who ever met Paul became his friend.

Paul was a graduate of San Benito High School, and attended Riverside College in California and Texas A&M University.

Paul was born on July 13, 1935, in Houston to General Paul Louis Wakefield and Eleanor Louise Wilson, both of whom predeceased in the 1960s.

Paul's father was a newspaper reporter for the Houston Chronicle and later served as executive assistant to Jesse H. Jones, then publisher of the Chronicle. Paul's father served in both World Wars and retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of major general. He served in senior leadership roles for several Texas governors, and was a member of the staff of vice president John Nance Garner (who was also Paul's godfather).

His mother, Eleanor, was a noted long-time fine arts columnist for the Houston Chronicle.

Paul Wakefield spent the majority of his adult life in Austin, where his roots were deep, raising his family, which included his daughter, Leigh Wakefield Stockwell, of Plano, and his son, Ronald Sherwood Wakefield, who predeceased his father in 1987. Ron was a 1980 graduate of Westlake High School, and a nationally recognized track star.

Paul Wakefield became an institution in Austin's Westbank community after his return to the Wakefield family home on Westlake Drive in January 1971. This locally significant home overlooking Lake Austin was originally built as a lodge in 1935 by Paul's father, and later updated during his marriage to Lois LaLonde Wakefield. It continued to serve as a beloved gathering place for family and friends for almost 70 years.

Paul's professional life revolved, principally, around his service to three institutions of the Westbank community — the City of West Lake Hills, Eanes Independent School District, and Water District No. 10. For West Lake Hills, he was assistant city secretary; for Eanes ISD, he served as director of all transportation services, and for 45 years he was the general manager of Water District No. 10, helping to manage its growth to its current position of serving over 15,000 residents of western Travis County.

When away from his responsibilities at work, Paul avidly enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, playing poker and sporting events with his numerous friends. His cooking expertise at hunting camp was very much appreciated by his companions.

His knowledge of all things West Lake was almost limitless. His institutional knowledge and his infinite common sense enriched us all, and will be greatly missed.

Paul Wakefield was the sweetest, nicest, most helpful person one could ever imagine. He rarely said "no" to those friends who asked for his help, or those who just needed some form of gentle support. He was a man of impeccable manners with an ever-present calm demeanor. There are thousands of people consider him to be their closest friend. He was the best of the best.

Paul is survived by his daughter Leigh and son-in-law, Mel Stockwell of Plano; grandsons AJ Ramsey of Bells and Geoffrey Ramsey of Nashville; and granddaughters Rachel Stockwell of Austin and Rebecca Stockwell of Plano.

At his request, burial services will be held graveside at Austin Memorial Park at 11 a.m., February 29, 2016. He will be buried with his son, Ron. A public memorial service will be scheduled for later this spring.

Paul's family expresses their special thanks to the exceptional medical staff at Hospice Austin's Christopher House.

If you wish to make a memorial contribution in Paul's honor, his family recommends for your consideration, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, and Hospice Austin's Christopher House.