Vernon Wattinger

Vernon Ray Wattinger passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 27, 2012, at the age of 79 in Austin, Texas. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend to many and will be greatly missed.

Vernon grew up in Austin attending school at Pease Elementary, Allan Junior High, and graduated in mid- term in 1951 from Austin High School. Vernon attended A&M for 1 year before coming back to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where he got his degree in Civil Engineering and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. His schooling was delayed for two years when he was drafted into Uncle Sam’s Army and was stationed in El Paso, Texas and served in the Guided Missiles Program. Vernon married his high school sweetheart in December of 1954 and was married for 58 years! During high school, he played various sports and was a member of the Gwynn Cooks. Being a longtime UT fan, particularly football and basketball, he also was a life member of the Texas Exes and the UT Club where he took pleasure in watching his Longhorns! He was a longtime member of the Headliners Club and enjoyed his many Friday lunches with business associates and friends. Also, a longtime member of Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and the Friend’s of Alec where he contributed and funded scholarships through the UT College of Engineering. He was on the Board of Directors of Southwest National Bank, on the Seton League House Board, President of Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA), and a member of Associated General Contractors (AGC).

Vernon spent many pleasurable moments hunting, golfing, exercising, doing yoga, ranching, sailing and traveling (including many treasured trips to the Masters). He enjoyed spending time at homes in Canyon Lake and Corpus Christi. He also enjoyed his time during holidays with his family including children, grandchildren and numerous other relatives.

Vernon was a self made businessman in commercial construction and was an accomplished General Contractor and Mechanical Contractor spanning a career of close to five decades. Over this career he was responsible for numerous notable projects. He constructed Medical (Seton and St. David’s), Higher Education (UT, St. Edward’s, Southwestern, Texas State and Houston Tillotson), School Districts (Austin, Leander, San Marcos, Bastrop, and Eanes), Public (State of Texas, Federal, Travis County and City of Austin), Technology (Samsung, AMD, IBM, Motorola, Texas Instruments and many others), Historical Restoration (St. Edward’s Main Building and others), and numerous banks, churches, retail, office & manufacturing projects. He was also an amazing mathematician with a wonderful sense of humor!

The Wattinger family would like to thank all the employees in Vernon’s various companies for their hard work and dedication in making these companies the success that they are. We would like to especially thank Kristine Artymowski & John Judd for their many years of loyal service.

Vernon was born on October 15, 1932 in Austin, Texas to Eleanor (Boring) & Vernon Wattinger Sr. who preceded him in death. A fourth generation Austinite, he is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Virginia (Sugie) Franzetti Wattinger of Austin; son, Vernon (Trey) Wattinger III and wife, Susan of West Lake Hills; grandson, Vernon (Hunter) Wattinger IV of West Lake Hills, grand-daughter, Amy Wattinger of West Lake Hills; daughter, Leigh Ann Kirk and Ken of Austin; grandson, James Kirk of Austin; one sister, Jeanette Warren and husband, Bob of Germantown, Tennessee; three step brothers, Tom and Ken of Austin and Don of Texarkana; sister-in-laws, Bertha Parker of Denison and Theresa Puckett of Dallas; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff and caregivers at the Cedar Ridge Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. Special thanks to Cissy Hutchinson, Will Hutchinson, and Patricia Melgarejo for their love, special care and attention to Vernon. Also, many thanks go out to Kim Butrum, Jim Sockwell and Dr. Susan Arizpe M.D.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Thursday, the 31st of May from five o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd., 78752.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, the 1st of June at ten o’clock in the morning at First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca Street, Austin, Texas 78701. A reception will follow the service in the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church.

To share memories with the family, please visit www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com .

Memorial contributions may be made in Vernon’s memory to the Austin Alzheimer’s Association, 3429 Executive Center Dr # 100 Austin, TX 78731.