Roll Call Tribute

Walter Alfred Meller, Jr. 

September 20, 1931 - November 17, 2023 

Walter A. Meller passed away on November 17, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. He was the son of Walter A. & Edna Fae Heard Meller born September 20, 1931, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was reared in Henderson, Texas, but moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1947 where he graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1949.

In 1953, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas where he participated in the R.O.T.C. program. He was commissioned as an officer in the U. S. Army following graduation and served two years with the 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Armor Division at Ft. Hood, Texas. He was honorably discharged in 1955 as a First Lieutenant.

On August 29, 1953, he married the former Beverly Ann Motherspaw in Uvalde, Texas. They had been married for 70 years. Following his military service he went to work for Texas Electric Service Company in Fort Worth, Texas, but resigned after two years to attend Texas A&M University where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1959. Following graduation, he joined West Texas Utilities in Abilene in June 1959 where he held numerous operations, engineering, and management positions prior to retiring in 1994 after thirty-five years of service. He was a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas. Following his retirement from WTU he went to work for the Wagstaff Law Firm as a Consultant on utility regulatory matters and worked in that position for five years.

He was active in civic and technical organizations, having been a member of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, serving as its District Director; and a board member of Abilene Crime Stoppers, having served as president, secretary, and treasurer. In 2010 he was named Crime Stopper Board Member of the Year for the State of Texas. He was named Engineer of the Year by the Abilene Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers in 1987. He also had volunteered at Abilene Regional Medical Center, the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, and was a driver for Sky Cross Missions which collected and delivered clothes to poor people along the Texas-Mexico border. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. He loved to travel with Beverly and they took numerous cruises over the years.

His parents, sister, Fayanne Teague, and his son, Michael preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife and three children, Teresa of Cypress, Texas, Walter Meller, III of Arlington, Jack Meller and wife, Frooz of Houston; and four grandchildren, Jason and wife Porter of Arlington; Jeff and wife Ashley of Plano; Kimberly Doss and husband, Joel of Colorado, Courtney Weicht Deeb of Cypress and her husband, Brad, nine great-grandchildren, and a niece and nephew. His brother-in-law, Jack Motherspaw, Jr., and wife, Joanne of Vacaville, California, also survive him.

At his request, no public memorial service will be held. Inurnment of cremated remains in the Columbarium burial section at the Veteran’s Cemetery at Abilene will be private. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity. 

IN THE CARE OF
Ted Dickey Funeral Home