Wilbert "Wil" Henry Walther

Wil was born fifth into a family of four boys and four girls, raised on a Texas farm, graduated high school, and entered the US Army on his eighteenth birthday in 1946. He served in Korea in the Army Air Corp (before Air Force) and was honorably discharged in 1949 at the rank of Staff Sergeant, after which, using the GI bill, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A&M University in Agricultural Economics.

Wil was very proud of being an Aggie and whenever he saw a stranger wearing an Aggie shirt or cap, or even a ring, he would go up and chat with them about A&M.

He met his wife, Mabel Frances (Mae) at a wedding in which they were best man and bridesmaid, when he was 20. They married four years later and enjoyed 69 joyous years together.

He was a dedicated provider and industrious gardener, taking meticulous care of his lawn and always planting large rose gardens for Mae as his work took them about the country.

Wil built his career in the USDA's Crop and Livestock Statistical Reporting Service. His assignments included New Mexico, Kansas, and Texas where he served as Texas State Statistician from 1975 - 1980. Between state assignments he was stationed in D.C. and in 1980 was Survey Division Director until becoming the agency Deputy Administrator and Crop Reporting Board Chairperson. During his tenure he trained agriculture statisticians in Columbia, Panama, the UK, Australia and Pakistan.

He was also an enthusiastic sportsman, fishing, and playing tennis with friends, bowling in leagues, and coaching his children's softball, baseball and basketball teams. Later in life his sporting interest settled on golf and he spent many years playing at least once a week in the Austin Senior League. He continued golfing occasionally until age 95.

Most importantly, he was loving and kind and gentle and considerate, and always a good listener.

Wil is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A visitation for Wilbert will be held Monday, June 30, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749. A funeral service will occur at 11:00 AM, and a graveside service to follow at 12:00 PM.