Wesley’s parents were Carroll Randolph Downey and Bertha Susan Bartlett Downey. He attended both Travis and Del Valley High Schools, graduating from Del Valley in 1961. Wesley enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1966, served in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged in 1971. He married Brenda in Austin on December 14, 1969.
Wesley worked for Holt Machinery in South Austin for 16 years, and for Dell Computer Corporation for more than 20 years. He was an accomplished bass player, playing in country bands for 5 decades. From his early days as a founding member of the Country Strings, to the last 15 years playing with the Sam Bentley Band, he has played or sat in with more country western bands than we could begin to count. The friendships he made through music lasted until the end. In his last years, he enjoyed playing music with his grandkids who followed in his footsteps with a love of making music. Wesley loved playing bass, the guys he played music with, his friends, neighbors, baseball, and good stories, but mostly he loved his family.
Wesley is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Doris Rhodes; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, W.E. "Vet" and Frances Vetter; and one grandchild, Alex Downey.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Brenda Jean Vetter Downey; son, Wesley Todd Downey and wife Esmeralda, and daughter, Kori Lynn Batey and husband Richard; 7 grandchildren, Lilah Downey, Audrey Downey, Lauren Downey, Jarrett Batey, Drew Batey, Kaylie Batey, and Luke Batey; his brothers, Carroll Wayne Downey and wife Veronica, and D. Clinton Downey and wife Donna; several nieces and nephews, cousins, other loving family members, and many many friends.
Funeral services will begin on Friday, September 11, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at Kinney Avenue Christian Fellowship, 1801 Kinney Ave, Austin, TX 78704, with Josh Hayward and Richard "Max" Smith officiating. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery at 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, TX 78660.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be: Sam Bentley, Jerry Don Motley, Dennis Vanderhoof, Allen Kentfield, Olin Melton, Ken Simpson, Jarrett Batey, Drew Batey, and Luke Batey.
