Walter L. Von Merz

Walter passed away in the comfort of his home on New Year's Eve. He was born March 20th 1929 in Munich Germany. He came to Austin in 1939 with his Mother, Catherine, and brother, C.D., where he has lived his entire life. His father, Carl, joined the family in Austin in 1952 from Germany. Dad was a Father to three children, daughter Julie, sons Bill and Kendall. He enjoyed many things in life. He was an excellent musician and played the piano and was a great guitar picker. He had a single engine pilot's license, was an excellent photographer, and loved to fish. In the "old days" he and his brother C.D. traveled all around Central Texas on horseback competing in local rodeos in bull dogging and calf roping. He worked his entire life for the Walter Tips Company in Austin, TX until he retired as President. He was an active and long term member of Austin Downtown Rotary. In addition to his family, Dad leaves behind a great number of friends. He enjoyed an early breakfast every day with his friends as they met at Dan's Hamburgers. He is well known throughout Austin for his sense of humor. He loved to tease the wait staff with his request for "Lipton's Red Label on the rocks". He was preceded in death by his lifelong friend and wife Mary Ellen and his parents Carl and Catherine von Merz. He is survived by daughter Julie Parker and her daughter Melissa, son Bill Thompson and wife Teresa, son Kendall Collier and wife Cindy and their children Walter and Lindsey; brother C.D. and his wife Carmen; and many beloved family members. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 4th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday in the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel followed by interment at Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville.