Carl Stanley Walston

Carl Stanley Walston was born on December 15,1934 near Kilgore, Texas to Betty Jane and Charley Edmund Walston. Carl went to be with his Lord and previously departed family and friends on August 17, 2025.

Carl was referred to as “Sonny” by his parents and sisters and therefore became “Uncle Sonny” to all the Walston relatives throughout his life. He started being referred to as Carl in high school by other people outside the family.

He graduated from Graford High School in1954 in Graford, Texas. He worked in the fish business around Possum Kingdom Lake with his father while in school and after, until 1957. He then went to Vernon, Texas and started driving commercial trucks. Carl did this till his dad died in 1964, whereas he returned home to take over the fish business until 1970. At that time, he went back to trucking and then started working for Hexcel Corporation for 20 years. After Hexcel he worked at an auto parts store around Possum Kingdom till he stopped at age 82.

Carl was united in marriage to Delpha Denton, the love of his life, on July 14,1979. They spent 38 years together enjoying all their family and friends in the Graford community where they lived.

Carl served as mayor for the City of Graford for 25 years. He was a member of the Lions Club for 24 years. He served as a Deacon in the First Baptist Church of Possum Kingdom Lake for some years. He was a Master Mason and a proud member of the Graford Masonic Lodge #1026 for 58 years, where he developed many lifelong friendships.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Delpha and his three sisters: Helen Harper, Charlene Bowen, Susie Koch and their spouses.

He is survived by Delpha’s three daughters: Debby Montgomery, Mindy Denton and Shelley Reed: 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren:

On the Walston side of his family were many wonderful nieces and nephews which he felt very grateful for. He commented many times that his three sisters left him with a wonderful family. He always felt so blessed. He will be missed by all.

Carl will be lying in state at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Friday, August 22, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Possum Kingdom Lake. Interment will follow at McAdams Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Palo Pinto Nursing Center or the Graford Masonic Lodge #1026 would be appreciated.