Dewayne Leon Weatherford

Dewayne Leon Weatherford, 91, of Batesville, AR, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Born on November 5, 1932, in Gorman, TX, to the late Weldon D. Weatherford and Zelda Bush, Dewayne devoted his life to serving others.

Dewayne was orphaned on his ninth birthday and grew up in the Corsicana State Home in Texas.  The children, teachers, and administrators became his family, and it was there he met his wife, Helen Jane Murdock, whose family was on staff at the home.  As a high school student, Dewayne excelled at football and graduated as valedictorian.  Throughout his adulthood, he remained involved with the Ex-Students’ Association, serving on their Council as President.

Despite his humble circumstances, Dewayne had high aspirations.  As an R.O.T.C. student, he earned his undergraduate degree from East Texas State University, and later, while in military service, completed a master’s degree in education from Fresno State University.

Dewayne joined the United States Air Force in 1954, serving honorably as a Lieutenant Colonel for more than 22 years.  Military service took him to Texas, Alabama, New Mexico, California, North Dakota, and Thailand.  He was a proud patriot who valued selfless service, honor, duty and sacrifice.

After retirement from the Air Force, Dewayne became a C.P. A. and worked as Internal Auditor for Baylor University.  He became a huge fan of all things Baylor, especially the football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball programs. He enjoyed helping students with their tax returns and took great satisfaction in assisting international students navigate the nuances of the American collegiate experience.

Dewayne worshipped his Lord as a longtime member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, in Waco, TX, where he enjoyed fellowship with the Boundless Love Sunday School class.  With this special group of friends, he enjoyed potluck events as well as many games of Hand and Foot.

But of all of Dewayne’s hobbies, vocations, and passions, nothing meant more to him than his family, especially his grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. He was a loving, faithful, and dedicated husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, and he will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Dewayne is preceded in death by both his parents, Weldon D. Weatherford and Zelda Bush; his in-laws, William Carl Murdock, and Mattie Lou Murdock; his brothers, Randolph E. Kimbrough, G.W. Kimbrough, Robert Ray Kimbrough, and Carl Wayne Kimbrough Mickey; his sisters, Katie D. Lemay, and Verlene Vivian Squares; and the love of his life, his wife of over 65 years, Mrs. Helen Jane (Murdock) Weatherford. He is survived by his sons, Steven Weatherford (Gayla), and Carl Alan Weatherford; his daughter, Kim Marie Hughes (Chad); 8 grandchildren, Kirby Leigh Weatherford, Emily Grace Neill (Andrew), Bethany Jane Huffman (Jake), Haley Nicole Weatherford (Alex), Stephanie Marie Weatherford, Caleb Dewayne Hughes, Joseph Harrison Weatherford, and Abbey Marie Hughes; one great-granddaughter, Josie Belle Huffman; several extended family members and friends; and two very special military friends, Dr. Willis Nicklas (Glenda) of Wichita Falls, TX, who also served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, and Colonel James Widney (Connie) of Gig Harbor, Washington.

The family will host a memorial service to confer military honors upon Lt. Colonel Dewayne Weatherford.  The date is to be determined.  Memorials may be made to the Boundless Love Class of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco, TX; to the Corsicana State Home Alumni Association (c/o Lynn Taylor, 500 Energy Way, Apt. 3212, Ft. Worth, TX  76102); or to Woodcrest Assisted Living Community in Batesville, AR.

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