Walter Pallu Cadenhead

Walter was born in San Marcos, Texas, on November 22,1942, to Keith Wilson and Velda Ellis Cadenhead. He had an older brother, 5 years his senior, named Keith Wilson, Jr. (lovingly called K. Wilson) He grew up in the small town of Prairie Lea and graduated from Prairie Lea High School in 1960. He attended Prairie Lea Baptist Church where his mother played the piano and taught Sunday School for over 30 years. His father was a deacon. He loved to play baseball...he was a southpaw. He enjoyed swimming and fishing in the river.

He lost his family at an early age. He was drafted into the army and later honorably discharged due to the fact that he was the sole surviving male family member of the Cadenhead family. He later graduated from the University of Corpus Christi with a bachelors degree in business and accounting. (now known as Texas A&M University Corpus Christi)

Upon graduation, Walter joined Amoco in the oil and gas industry. He married the love of his life Gwendolyn Taylor in Corpus Christi on February 9, 1968. He spent 17 years with Amoco and in 1984, he relocated his family to New Braunfels near his childhood home. He became a business owner in the oil field pipe business and retired in July of 1997.

In addition to his family, Walter received the greatest joy from spending time at his ranch near Cotulla, Texas. He enjoyed working on the ranch and taking care of the wildlife. The ranch brought many years of peace and happiness...even up to the day before he went home to be with The Lord.

Walter was raised in the church and given an early foundation of the Gospel by his parents. He loved, served and faithfully followed Jesus Christ his whole life. He was a member of First Baptist Church of New Braunfels for 29 years where he served in many areas, including driving the church bus for senior citizens, mission trips, preparing meals in the church kitchen and many others. Walter kept his bible filled with notes and mementos. Among one of them was this quote - "Becoming a Christian is the work or choice of the moment. Being a Christian is the work of a lifetime."

Walter leaves behind a beautiful family that includes his wife, Gwen, children Kate, Colette and husband Jim, Vicki Louise and fiance Steve. He has 4 grandsons, Cade, Wilson, Samuel and Tristan and one beautiful granddaughter, Isabella Louise.

"Well done good and faithful servant."