Walker Don Weathers

A service for Walker Don Weathers will be held at West Erwin Church of Christ in Tyler at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2012. He was received into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on July 16, 2012. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. There will be a visitation on Wednesday, July 18, at Stewart Funeral Home in Tyler from 4 to 6 p.m.

Walker Weathers was born in Columbus, Miss., on Aug. 21, 1957, and attended school in Tyler. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1975, before continuing his education at Abilene Christian University, where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1979. In 1983, he completed his formal education at Baylor Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor. Walker returned to Tyler to pursue the practice of law and his love of aviation. He was admitted to practice law before the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

While in law school at Baylor, Walker met Rhonda Marie Sylvester, the love of his life and wife of 28 years. He was a second-year law student and she was a senior. He saw her in the Student Union Building and came over to introduce himself. Walker was a proud father. He and Rhonda have two children, Ross Walker Weathers and Grace Marie Weathers. Both of their children are students at The University of Texas at Austin, studying business and education, respectively. Ross received his private pilot's license on Aug. 21, 2008, - 31 years and one day after his father.

On July 18, 1978, Walker took his first flight lesson in Boulder, Colo. After immediately discovering his passion for aviation, he received his private pilot's license 32 days later. He also earned his helicopter license and was a charter member of the Tyler Quiet Birdmen Hangar. Walker worked with many aircraft organizations and had been fortunate enough to fly diverse aircraft, flying many interesting people from all walks of life as well as numerous sports franchises, including the Texas Rangers and Houston Rockets. He was also a captain of Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff's Posse.

After graduation from law school in 1983, Walker went to work for Saunders Law Firm in Tyler. He was a general practice lawyer and was with the firm until 1990, when he and his brother Wade began their own practice and started Weathers and Weathers Law Firm. He was active in his Tyler practice and worked as the vice president and general counsel for The Wikert Group out of Dallas. Walker was an outstanding advocate for his clients both inside and outside the courtroom and was well respected by the judges and his fellow lawyers.

Walker was actively involved as a member of the West Erwin Church of Christ. He served as a deacon, a member of the missions committee and was also a Sunday school teacher. He served on the board of directors for Boles Home, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Ross Walker. Walker had an adventuresome spirit and loved the outdoors and wildlife. Some of his favorite pastimes were spent at his deer camp in McCullough County and tending to his farm and livestock.

More important to Walker than his professional or personal accomplishments was his family. He was well known as the "peacemaker" of the family and voted the "nicest uncle." He will be remembered for his great honesty, integrity, patience and calmness in the midst of chaos. He was a leader for the family and everyone else who knew him. Many times throughout his life Walker anonymously and generously gave to others in need. Walker loved the Lord and served him diligently.

Walker touched the lives of many people both young and old with his quiet ways and sense of humor. He enjoyed working with people of all ages and backgrounds. It did not matter if you only had a nickel or a million, he would always treat you the same. He was known for always finding the good in those around him. The pain in our hearts will only be tempered by the peace he now knows and the knowledge that he is in the presence of his heavenly father.

Walker is survived by his loving wife, Rhonda, and his two children, Grace and Ross; parents, Wanda and Don Weathers; brothers, Wade Weathers and his wife Diane, and their children Caroline, Katherine and Rebecca, and Wynne Weathers and his wife Kristi, and his children Wendy and Will. Walker is also survived by his father- and mother-in-law, Bill and Wanda Sylvester; sister-in-law, Cindy Tye; his favorite uncle, Rex Walker of Boulder, Colo.; and many others who loved him dearly.

Pallbearers will be Mike Martin Sr., Mike Martin Jr., Scot Moore, Ron Lott, Randy Grooms, Randy Johnson, Jim Echols and Lanier Richey. Honorary pallbearers are his hunting family including Randy Roberts, Whit Riter, Bob Garrett, Paxton Riter and Morris Hallman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Erwin Church of Christ Missions Fund, 420 W. Erwin St., Tyler, 75702.

Rarely do we find a man who has lived by the values that he professes. His life and family are living proof of the Lords blessing.