Willodyne Smith Walton

Willodyne Smith Walton passed away on September 1, 2023 at Querencia at Barton Creek in Austin, Texas. Willodyne (Willi) was a devoted wife, mother, friend and citizen. She was in the constant company of her three daughters during her final months of life.

She was born July 13, 1926 to Starling and Stella Belle Taylor Smith in Hugo, Oklahoma. The youngest of four children, Willi spent her formative years during the Great Depression in Hugo graduating from Hugo High School in 1944. She then began work at Fort Maxey as a typist and transferred to Fort Sam Houston. Shortly after her arrival in San Antonio she reunited with fellow Hugo resident and classmate William N. (Bill) Walton. A courtship began and Bill and Willi were married on August 31, 1947. Her passing was only minutes after what would have been their 76th wedding anniversary.

The couple then moved to Austin, where they both attended the University of Texas. Willi was an avid Longhorn baseball and Lady Longhorn basketball supporter. She volunteered at the Assistance League of Austin, West Austin Caregivers and with her church, University Presbyterian, where she and Bill served as Sunday school teachers. Willi is best remembered as an avid gardener and caretaker of her yard in Barton Hills and later in Northwest Hills. On any given day Willi may have been seen on the roof blowing off leaves or in the yard picking them up. She loved horseback riding, ice skating, skiing, and worked crossword and jigsaw puzzles even in her final days. She was always up for adventure and she and Bill traveled extensively around the globe often including their family. Some of her favorite adventures were parasailing, ziplining, sailing and kayaking. The only adventure left on her bucket list was skydiving. Although she loved many things, we would be remiss not to mention some of her dislikes such as the deer eating her yard, raccoons in the attic, spiders in her house, squirrels in general, technology, her magnolia tree and its leaves.

She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sisters Gladys Mildred Taylor, Johnnie Juanita Pepper, Ruth Evelyn Byrom, and a nephew Byron Ray Pepper. She is survived by daughters Diane Beth Walton Canzoneri (Vincent) of Austin, Peggy Lynn Walton of Dallas, Texas, Melissa Karen Walton Taylor (Richard) of Frisco, Texas. Four grandchildren: Bradley Wayne Linscomb (Jennifer) of Austin, Christina Nicole Canzoneri M.D. of Roanoke, Virginia, Matthew Caleb Taylor (Cali) of Akiachak, Alaska and Jennifer Leigh Taylor of Frisco, Texas. Three great-grandchildren: Chloe Willodyne Linscomb, Olivia Simone Linscomb and Natalie Alexis Taylor. One nephew Mark Walton (Debbie), nieces, Linda Taylor, Stephanie Koehler (Scott) and Lugene Walton.

The family would like to thank the CNA’s, CMA’s and nurses at Querencia at Barton Creek along with Dr. McCrossan at Austin Geriatric Specialists and Halcyon Hospice for their respectful and loving care of their mother.

A family gathering of remembrance is planned for a later date. Donations honoring the legacy that she leaves can be made to the Assistance League of Austin, University Presbyterian Church or charity of your choice.