William "Tudey" Thornton Teten

Tudey was born December 17, 1952, and raised in the loving home of his parents, Robert Paul and Catherine Nash Teten, alongside his older brother, Robert Paul Teten II.

In junior high, Tudey matriculated to O. Henry where, upon entering Mr. Guisecke’s homeroom class, he locked eyes with the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen: his future wife, Deborah Thorne. A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, Tudey would hearken back to that moment decades later, still dumb-struck at his good fortune.

The lovebirds attended Stephen F. Austin High School and the University of Texas, where Tudey was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Though his time at UT was brief, the preeminent yarn-spinner's tomfoolery and hijinks remain the stuff of legend. He graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas with a B.S. in Criminology and Corrections, making him, in his own words, a “bona fide penologist.”

After spending several unforgettable years working in the Texas Department of Corrections — including an 11-day prison siege — the fifth-generation Austinite and his bride returned to the Capital City, where Tudey spent over a decade working with his father at the family’s oil and gas exploration company.

During this time, he took up the lost art of needlepointing, much to his mother’s delight. A naturally gifted artisan, Tudey’s craftsmanship soon developed a cult following around town. A true renaissance man, in addition to his needlepointing, Tudey’s varied interests included esoteric trivia; sartorial flair (seersucker, wide-brimmed hats and bowties, oh my!); and expertly crafted banana pudding.

But it didn’t stop there. With a knack for numbers, he went on to excel as a financial consultant. While working as a portfolio manager, an opportunity to cover his high school alma mater’s sporting events presented itself, and Tudey began moonlighting as a staff writer for the West Austin News. The casual hobby reignited a dormant passion for writing, prompting him to pen his magnum opus, Very Truly Tudey: An Austin Anthology.

A larger-than-life raconteur and conversationalist, Tudey will best be remembered for his sharp wit, his wicked humor, and his love of stories. Tudey relished both sharing his own tales, and taking in the experiences of others. In his nonfiction writing, he gravitated towards stories about human connection, ordinary people triumphing over adversity, and the indomitable will of the spirit. He appreciated the synchronicity in life, and found comfort in his belief that we are all connected.

He loved fiercely and always put his family first, taking pains not to miss a single sporting event, dance recital, or Grandparents’ Day. And as he was wont to say in his final months and weeks, “I’ve lived a charmed life.”

Long after he’s gone, his presence will continue to be felt, and his legacy will live on through his loved ones, his writing, and his one-of-a-kind needlepoint works sprinkled throughout the homes of West Austin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Catherine Teten, and his beloved cousin, Anne Scott.

He’s survived by the undisputed love of his life, his wife of over 47 years, Deborah; his children, Amy (Thom), William (Sarah) and Laura (Jess); his grandchildren, Cash, Woodrow, Catherine, John and Bess; his brother, Paul (Virginia); devoted cousins, Jim Scott (Mary Barbara), Jerry Bell (Mary), Phillip Bell (Jane), Mary Catherine Holt (John), Beverly Patton (Ed), Sheila Jackson (Blair), and Chris Bell (Karla); brothers-in-law Zachary Thorne (Manu), Tom Shields, and Johnny Hewell; numerous nieces and nephews; and close family members, The Kents of Massachusetts.

The family expresses gratitude to Sonder Hospice Austin and Marianne Holiday, for making Tudey as comfortable as possible.

Pallbearers are Peter C. Barbour; Patrick J. Calhoun, Jr.; Jack S. Gray, Jr.; James H. Holland, Jr.; Don D. Magruder; S. Terry Parker; Stephen M. Pearce; and Eugene P. Schoch.

Visitation will be at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar, Austin, Texas on Monday, July 26, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral Service will be at St. Austin’s Catholic Parish, 2026 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX; Tuesday, July 27, 10:00 am. Parking will be available in the church parking garage located at 1900 San Antonio St.

(Per the church’s wishes, we ask that everyone over the age of two please wear a mask, regardless of your vaccination status.)

*At Tudey’s request, attendees are encouraged to don a jaunty hat, bowtie or accessory in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, 1725 W 11th St, Austin, TX 78703, which just celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary.