Walter Workman

Walter E. Workman died peacefully in his sleep on March 16, 2017. He was 84 years old. Son of Dr. James W. Workman (d. 1985) and Meta Sue Sparks Workman (d. 1991), Walter was born in Little Rock Arkansas, the youngest of three, joining his older brothers Jim and John (d. 2014). \r\n\r\nWalter attended high school in North Little Rock, graduating in May 1950. Early in life he discovered the joy of music, exploring his natural talents as an accomplished violist, he performed in the Arkansas State Symphony and worked summers playing fiddle at the Basin Park Gazebo in Eureka Springs.\r\n\r\nWalter attended undergraduate school at Hendrix College in Conway Arkansas where he enlisted in the United States Navy ROTC program and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Economics and Business in May 1954. During his years at Hendrix he met his first wife Mary Sue Murry, of Malvern Arkansas.\r\n\r\nAfter college Walter served as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy Reserve for two years moving between station assignments in Washington D.C., Adak, Alaska, and finally Moffett Field Naval Air Station, Mt. View, California where he was honorably discharged in August 1956. \r\n\r\nWalter and Mary Sue settled in Austin Texas where he attended law school at the University of Texas. While in university he obtained the position of Case Note Editor of the Texas Law Review and was selected to be a member of the University of Texas Moot Court Team that won the overall National Moot Court Championship in 1958. He was chosen for "Best Original Argument" during the final rounds of this prestigious competition. \r\n\r\nIn 1959, after graduating law school with chancellor honors, Walter joined the law firm of Baker Botts, where he remained a practicing trial attorney for 35 years. During a dedicated legal career that spanned over three decades, he served as Senior Partner, Chairman of the Trial Department and Member of the Executive Committee. Noted achievements were admittance into practice by the Supreme Court of Texas; the Federal District Court in Houston; the Fourth Circuit and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; and the United States Supreme Court. He was also selected to the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Attorneys; and served as a lecturing faculty member of the American Society of Civil Litigation. \r\n\r\nIn his later years of practicing law Walter met Jerri Wilfong. In 1985, their like mindedness for love of family, community service, travel and adventure led to them join in marriage. They soon settled in the historic Heights neighborhood in Houston, where they established new roots celebrating family, friends and service to their community for many years.\r\n\r\nRetiring from practice in 1994 his immediate response was to enjoy the freedoms of the highway by taking up motorcycle riding. During early retirement Walter, Jerri, family and friends embarked on numerous domestic and international motorcycle touring adventures.\r\n\r\nIn 2005 Walter and Jerri moved to "The Castle" their dream home located in Tierra Linda Ranch, Kerrville Texas to enjoy the abundance of life with family and friends. Walter immediately took to retired life in the Hill Country. Continuing his desire to serve community first, he volunteered as dispatcher for the Tierra Linda Volunteer Fire Department, and served as President of the TLR Home Owners Association.\r\n\r\nHe dedicated himself to numerous local causes; serving as an Elder of First Presbyterian Church; serving on the board of the Dietert Center and Kerrville Performing Arts Society; Trustee Member of the Board of Directors at Schreiner University; and Board Member of the Hill Country Arts Association and Symphony of the Hills.\r\n\r\nHis philosophies were grounded in "We are all in this together". Music was always a source of enjoyment; singing in the church choir and as community member of the Schreiner University choir. He also employed his thespian talent by appearing in local productions of Guys & Dolls, 1776, and Leading Ladies. \r\n\r\nIn his own words Walter believed that he was in fact "The Luckiest Man in the World" and he lived a life of sincere gratitude for all of the people who took the time, patience, and had the knowledge to help him along the journey. Walter lived a life filled with faith in God, a God of forgiveness and of generous blessing. \r\n\r\nHe is survived by his brother Jim, of Washington, Jerri, his wife of 32 years, and his children Daniel M. Workman, wife Christi of Houston, TX; Susan Elmore, husband James, of Houston, TX; William J. Workman of Houston, TX; Thomas E. Workman and wife Deirdre of Windsor CO; Trey Wilfong and wife Anne of Austin TX; Kristen Stinson and husband Andy, Charlotte NC; and seven grandchildren, Joe Ann Williams, James Elmore, Emily Elmore, Elena Wilfong, Ethan Wilfong, H.T. Stinson and Julia Stinson; and beloved niece Windy Palmore. \r\n\r\nFuneral Services will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 24, at First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson St, Kerrville, TX 78028. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 13th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Houston Heights City Hall & Fire Station, 107 W 12th at Yale Street, Houston, TX 77008. \r\n\r\nThe family would welcome memorial donations to Peterson Hospice, 1121 Broadway, Kerrville, TX 78028, or Hill Country College Fund, Schreiner University, 2100 Memorial Boulevard CMB6229, Kerrville, TX 78028\r\n