Andy Nelson Whitwell II

Andy Nelson Whitwell, II, aged 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024, at his home in Kyle, Texas. He was born on April 17, 1944, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Andrew and Willie (Helton) Whitwell. He was a longtime resident of Pflugerville, Texas, but recently moved to Kyle.

Andy was the son of a Navy sailor, and graduated from Forrest Sherman High School in Naples, Italy. After graduation, he enrolled in the University of Chattanooga, now known as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged as a Captain after serving in the Vietnam War.

Andy married Bobbie Ward on December 24, 1976, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a beautiful candlelit Presbyterian church ceremony. Their careers would take them to Arkansas, Saudi Arabia, Dallas, Albuquerque, and Durham, before they settled in Austin and then Pflugerville, Texas. Andy worked as a Network Engineer for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs before retiring in 2010 to become a full-time grandfather.

He loved serving his church as a Lay Leader and in the band playing bass guitar. He and Bobbie were longtime members of Pflugerville First United Methodist Church. Andy was also a two-time Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 409 and it was his honor to bring the pack to PFUMC and to lead them on camping trips and pinewood derby races. Ask either of his children to demonstrate the “round of applause”. Andy also took up skydiving at the young age of 60 and would sometimes make multiple jumps in one day. He continued this until Parkinson’s made him unable to do so, safely.

Andy is survived by the love of his life, wife Bobbie, his children Jennifer Whitwell, Joshua (Bear) Whitwell and wife Robin Ray, Lance Pearson and Jill Bahn. Grandchildren Ryder and Reese Pearson, Brycen Zamora, and Gryphon Ray-Whitwell. Sister Tommye Vernon and brother-in-law Robert, and sister-in-law Gail Yarbrough. Niece Heather Molaro, nephew Robert and wife Kellan, and their children. He also leaves behind many cousins and their children.

Andy was preceded in death by his parents, his son Andrew Nelson Whitwell, III, and his beloved fur babies Hannah, Maddie, Rocky, Greta, Zoey, Girl, and Melba, all whose ashes will be buried with him.

Funeral services will be held at Pflugerville First United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 2pm. A burial with military honors will take place at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following.

Andy’s family would like to thank Morgan and Jenny with Blue Water Hospice for their comfort and care, as well as his longtime primary care physician, Dr. Kenneth Kroll, for his care and concern not just for Andy but also for Bobbie’s well-being.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Andy’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at https://www.michaeljfox.org/, or to 413 Fitness (Fitness Therapy for People Living with Movement Disorders, Including Parkinson’s Disease) at https://413.fitness/.