Walter Merle Heffington

W.M. “Dub” Heffington, entered the gates of heaven on December 27, 2020, after a brief illness and complications of the COVID virus. He had a larger-than-life personality and will be remembered as a tall, handsome man with a big smile and even bigger laugh. He never knew a stranger or met someone he didn’t like.

Dub was born on February 11, 1938, in Abilene, TX, to W.W. “Pete” and Winona Heffington. Raised in Wichita Falls, TX, he was a proud member of the WFHS Coyote football team. He was very involved in student government and served as 1956 Sr. Class President and Sr. Class Favorite.

He received a BA in Finance and Economics from Texas Tech University where he continued his love of student government and served as Freshman Class President and Freshman Class Favorite. He enjoyed student life as a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Saddle Tramps, and many other student interest organizations.

At Texas Tech he met the love of his life, Saundra Stewart, and they were married on April 9, 1960. This year they celebrated 60 years of marriage.

They returned to Wichita Falls, TX, where they raised their children, Karen and Walt. Dub loved to serve within the community through various civic organizations but especially loved coaching little league baseball, basketball, and football. His players learned not only how to play the game, but how to win and lose in sports and in life. The family were members of First Baptist Church.

They moved to Dallas in 1986. Dub followed his entrepreneurial and creative spirit by establishing ARI Inc., which became a trade show and convention industry leader in technology and innovative services.

His grandchildren, Mitchell, Hudson, and Brittany were the lights of his life and he delighted in attending their sporting events, recitals, and other activities. He was affectionately known as “Daddy Dub”.

He retired briefly in 2017 and enjoyed spending time fly fishing in his beloved Red River, NM. The life of leisure was not his cup of tea and he re-entered the workforce and remained active in finance.

He is preceded in death by his parents, W. W. Heffington and Winona Heffington, and sister Ann Morris.

He is survived by wife Saundra, daughter Karen Heffington Paul and husband Steven Paul, son Walt Heffington and wife Anne Heffington of Carrollton, TX, grandchildren Mitchell Heffington of Brooklyn, New York, Hudson Heffington and wife Alison Heffington of Dallas, TX, Brittany Paul of Dallas, TX, and sister Helen Lowe of Duncanville, TX. He is also survived by sister and brother-in-law Judy and Doug Ducate, nephews and nieces Dr. Walt Lowe, Dr. Will Lowe and wife Shelly Lowe, Peri Morris Kee and husband David Kee, Jeff Ducate and Dana Teague, and Jennifer Lehman and husband Schuyler Lehman along with several beloved cousins and great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org/honor, the American Heart Association 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231 or the charity of your choice.