W. W. "Bo" McAllister III

Walter Williams "Bo" McAllister III died on July 22, 2023 at age 81 of vascular dementia and pulmonary fibrosis. He died at his summer home in Bigfork, Montana surrounded by his family.

Funeral service arrangements are pending.

Bo was an immensely bright and curious child who craved to know everything about everything. His favorite toys were Lincoln Logs and an Erector Set. He made model airplanes and had an extensive electric train set that covered two ping pong tables. He read Popular Mechanics and Popular Science and dabbled in automotive repair and modifications.

When he was 15 he talked his parents into buying a boat and the whole family became insatiable water skiers at area lakes and at Port Aransas, where they maintained a summer house. His late mother Edith famously skied through her 92nd summer.

Bo graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1959 and earned a B.B.A. at the University of Texas in 1963. Having taken ROTC, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation. That fall, he married Lida Suttles of Houston, and they lived at Ft. Lee, Virginia for his first year of service. He was then transferred to San Antonio where he ran the commissary at Fort Sam Houston until his duty was over.

Following military service, Bo went to work in the family firm, San Antonio Savings Association ("SASA"). He started at the bottom and with his brilliance and good nature (and perhaps a hint of nepotism), he quickly worked his way up. The founder of SASA, Walter W. McAllister, Sr., was its original President. When he was appointed Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1953 and moved to Washington, DC, his son, Walter Jr. ("Sonno") became President. Walter Sr. came back to San Antonio and served as Mayor for five terms starting in 1961. When he chose to retire from politics in 1971, Walter Sr. (now "Mayor Mac") returned to SASA as Chairman Emeritus, Sonno served as Chairman, and Bo took the helm as President and CEO.

Bo shocked the old downtown community by moving SASA to the Loop in 1980. For many, the saving grace was the beautiful pyramid building he built at the corner of San Pedro and Loop 410.

Working hard was rewarded by frequent recreation, although Bo's idea of relaxing typically revolved around doing chores in a different location rather than putting his feet up. In 1972, Walter Jr. bought a ranch within commuting distance of San Antonio, where each of his children had a house. Bo acquired a portion of the ranch and built "grander" facilities, including barns and riding facilities for Lida and their daughter Lidita. He and Lida graciously hosted Thanksgiving for the extended family at Magic Springs for decades.

Bo and his family also vacationed in Port Aransas at Cline's Landing for many years until they fell in love with Montana and built a house in Bigfork, spending much of the summer there.

Bo was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and both water and snow skiing. He and Lida included as many friends as possible in their activities. Lida was adept at everything they did, perhaps even more adept than Bo, since the largest hunting and fishing trophies were usually hers.

In the mid 1980's, the Savings and Loan ("S&L") crisis hit. Bo was kept crazily busy as the feds enlisted him and SASA to take over many smaller S&Ls and some large ones. Then the dreadful day came when SASA itself was determined to have an inadequate "loan loss reserve" and was taken over. Bo was so trusted he was actually asked to stay on, which he did for a time. Then he took his broken heart home and when he finally came up for air, he went into business for himself, starting a family office specializing in hedge funds, investing in real estate and oil, and managing his mother's estate. It was his joy that his children involved themselves in his new family business.

Bo was predeceased by his parents, Edith and Walter W. McAllister, Jr., his paternal grandparents Leonora and Walter W. McAllister, Sr., and his maternal grandparents, Rosa and Reece Webster Scott.



He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lida Suttles McAllister, and his children Lida Picton McAllister and Walter W. McAllister IV, their spouses Bret Rahe and Mimi Terrazas McAllister, and five grandchildren: Barret and Camdyn Rahe; and Emersen, Walter V ("Oliver") and Reece McAllister.



He is also survived by his siblings Taddy, Reagin and wife Toni, and Eloise and wife Adrienne Braswell, and their children and grandchildren.

Bo was a member of The Order of the Alamo, The San Antonio German Club, The Texas Cavaliers, the S.A. Country Club, The Argyle Club, The Order of St. Hubertus and was retired from membership in the Young Presidents' Organization. He was a founding director of Texas Capital Bank from 1998-2017.

Bo was brilliant, funny and a great story teller; his wit was legendary. His long-time CPA described him as the smartest person she ever worked with. Like many, he slowed down at the end of his life, fortunate to have a wife and children to care for him. He will be missed.

You are invited to sign

the Guestbook at

www.porterloring.com

Arrangements with

PORTER LORING MORTUARY

1101 McCULLOUGH AVE.

SAN ANTONIO, TX 78212 - (210) 227-8221