Renee Austin

Mr. Walter Renee Austin, age 78 years, a resident of Elkins, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Nella's at Autumn Lake. He was born January 19, 1947, in Harlingen, TX a son of the late Louis Edwin Austin, Jr and the late Erma Denise Mockley Austin. He was married to Linda Lee Helmick Austin who survives in Elkins. Also surviving are daughter, Paula Austin-Shipman of Stephens City, VA; two sons, Steven Paul Austin, Frederick, MD and Joseph Louis Henry Austin, of Elkins; two brothers, Paul Austin of Katy, TX and Louis Austin, III of Port Isabel, TX; two sisters, Cecilia Sang, Rockport, TX and Dorothy Nelson, Katy, TX; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive. Renee attended the schools of Texas and was a Veteran of the United States Army 75th Ranger Regiment. He served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War having been wounded twice and receiving two Purple Hearts for his combat wounds. He was employed as a telephone technician for Bell Atlantic for many years prior to his retirement. He was an avid collector of Native American relics and enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, 75th Ranger Regiment Association, Inc., H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion, Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Moose Lodge. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, July 28, 2025, at Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Bill Riffee officiating. Interment will follow in the Maplewood Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded at the gravesite by members of the West Virginia National Guard Honor Guard Program, H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion, and Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 122 South High St., Morgantown, WV 26501 in memory of Renee. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Walter Renee Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.