Wylie Austin Newman

Wylie Austin Newman died unexpectedly on Thursday April 14, 2016 at the age of 73. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday April 19, 2016 at 2:00p.m. in Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 7457 West Lake Rd. Abilene, TX 79601. Visitation for family and friends will be at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St. from 5pm - 7pm on Monday April 18, 2016.

Wylie was born in Abilene where he lived out his life. His love for sports began at College Heights Elementary. Wylie played football with the final group of Moser's Boys on the Team of the Century at Abilene High School. He was Captain of the football team his senior year. After high school he remained a loyal Abilene High fan as a season ticket holder and later in life listening to every game on the the radio. When he wasn't following football he loved to fish. Many summer nights were spent sitting on the dock, fishing in the dark until the middle of the night. The only fish story that can be confirmed was winning 3rd place at Hubbard Creek Kean Bass Classic with his brother-in-law. He said "if we had proper storage for the fish on the way to weighing we would have won one first". Extending his love for sports, he coached both his daughters in softball. He treated all team players as his own children, driving them to and from practice, teaching many how to play the sport and he spent extra time with anyone who wanted to learn. He was employed at Fort Worth Pipe, NuCorp, Bandag and after retirement he drove a school bus for AISD.

Wylie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and coach. His life revolved around his granddaughters. The oldest granddaughters referred to him as 'Big Guy' - he was their hero. He taught them to swim by sitting in their wading pool, taught them to ride a bike by riding with them, introduced his granddaughters (and nephews) to his love for the taste of lemons, and spending many hours outdoors with them learning and discovering. Eight months ago he was blessed with his 3rd grandchild. She was his every breath. The last few months he spent every day with her teaching her to 'blow raspberries' and 'thumbs up'. The room lit up when the two of them were together. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Pat (Patterson) Newman; two daughters, Vicki Plank of Hubbard Creek Lake and Lori Femiak of San Antonio; a son-in-law he called his own, Brad Femiak of San Antonio; three granddaughters, Cheyenne Plank, Dakota Plank and Nikki Femiak; one brother, Jim Newman (Lynn) of Hawley; and two sisters, Dorothye Grooms (Buck) of Ft. Worth and Francis Davis (Bob) of Justin. Wylie is preceded in death by his parents, Austin and Betty Newman; one brother, Jack Newman; two sisters, Nancy Schmidt and Linda Newman; and one granddaughter, Taylor Plank.