Willis Dexter Goodlett

Willis Dexter Goodlett was born on September 8, 1942 in Austin, Texas to Willis Armstrong and Ozelma Goodlett. He was a graduate of S.F. Austin High School and continued his education at the University of Texas to graduate with a degree in Education. He then pursued further studies for his Master’s Degree at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. A large part of his career was spent in Laredo, Texas as the main librarian at the Junior High School. Being fluent in Spanish he had a major impact on students who were learning English as a second language. He had a love for the game of chess and organized the first Chess Club for the school. Many students profited from his leadership and even went on to win many competitions in chess. Dexter was Chess Master winning several competitions with many trophies.

After retirement, he returned to Austin, Texas where he pursued his interest in golf and studying French. He had a love for all things French and travelled several timed to visit the country. He also enjoyed seeing the sights in England, Ireland and Scotland. He kept a travelogue and many photos in albums. From those photos he began to create oil paintings. Many canvases were done in a creative, impressionistic way. He was an intellectual person who was knowledgeable about historical people and places. His home became a virtual library as he filled it with many books about the places he had visited overseas and classics written in French. He eagerly planned a trip to Quebec, Canada in the near future. He wanted to engage in speaking French there and at the same time experience the beauty and adventure in that Country.

Dexter also enjoyed being outdoors and while he was in Austin, he and his Dad would go deer hunting and explore the Texas Hill Country. He was an excellent marks marksman and was gun enthusiast. His love for the outdoors gave him an appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation.

Dexter was deeply spiritual and enjoyed the fellowship at the First United Methodist Church. He felt the Psalms ministered to him and read God’s Word on a regular basis. He was also a member of Masons and Shriners where he was in good standing at the Masonic Lodge #456.

He was devoted son to his Mother, and Father, who passed away in 2005. He has three surviving sisters, Kathleen Scott of San Jose, California, Carol Wallace of Buda, Texas and Connie Tatom of Austin, Texas. He enjoyed spending time with his numerous nieces and nephews.

We will remember Dexter with love and have fond memories of his life. Though he suffered for fifty years with Type I Diabetes, he never gave up his zeal for learning and stretching his horizons of living. He was humble philosopher and demonstrated his intellect in his computer expertise and writing. We hope assemble some of is works and pay homage to his insights and revelations. May Dexter find wholeness and health along with peace as he enters the presence of the Lord Jesus he loved.