Ernest Earl "Sunny" Waller

Ernest Earl "Sunny" Waller of Andrews, Tex., passed on February 12, 2026, at the age of 93. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, February 15, at 1 p.m. at Andrews County Cemetery in Andrews.

One of 12 children, he was born on February 9, 1933, in Corsicana, Tex., to Leslie Vernon Waller and Bertha Lou (Whitfield) Waller. On July 26, 1952, he married Rene Thomas, and they shared 63 devoted years together until her death in November 2015.

Ernest devoted his life to his family and enjoyed a long career as a heavy equipment operator in the oil field, often revered for his expertise and skill in blading a location better than anyone around. He was respected and valued for many years in his work all over West Texas.

Even more than his work, Ernest fiercely loved and dedicated himself to his family. He was selfless with a generous spirit and would lend a helping hand to anyone he encountered. He never hesitated to give what he could to anyone, with an especially soft heart for animals. In his final years, he rescued and cared for several dogs and a cat that became his best friends.

Ernest and Rene opened their home to family and friends, often filling their heads with good stories and their bellies with good food. They were Grandman and Grandmama to all the friends of their grandchildren, and treated them as their own. His children and grandchildren share countless happy memories of time spent with their Grandman.

Preceding him in death are his beloved wife, Rene Waller, their son Bob Waller, his parents, six brothers and three sisters.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Harvey Waller of Monahans, Tex.; two daughters, Deena Floyd and husband Alan, of Snyder, Tex., and Dawn Waller of Andrews, Tex.; daughter-in-law, Pam Waller of Seguin, Tex.; sister, Bell Bassham of Corsicana, Tex., and brother, Charles Kenneth Waller of Fort Worth, Tex.; eleven grandchildren, Samii Labadie, Caleb Waller, Aimee Caudle, Justin Brown, Sarah Waller-Avelar, Clayton Floyd, Will Floyd, Seth Waller, Mahalie Pando, Mackenzie Hotze and Mariah Valdez; 21 great-grandchildren with a great-grandchild on the way, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Ernest was asked about a month ago if he has any regrets or anything he would want to say to anybody before he dies, and he responded with a typical Grandman response of, "Well, guess I've said all's needs to be said."

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at one o'clock in the afternoon at Andrews West Cemetery under the direction of McNett Funeral Home.