Victor C. Walzel

Victor C. Walzel completed his life journey and cashed in his final chips at age 89 on 29 January 2012. He put up an amazing fight to the very end before finally taking the Long Trail. He now lives in a place where the deer & pheasants are plentiful and the fish are easy to catch.

Victor was born on 2 February 1922 in Wallis, Texas. After graduating from Beasley (TX) High School he worked briefly on the family farm before enlisting in the U.S. Army in February 1942. Assigned to the U.S. Army Air Force, he trained as a defensive aerial gunner aboard B-17 aircraft. In Fall 1944 he was re-assigned to the new B-29 aircraft and trained as gunner and flight engineer under Capt Eddie Dowling as his aircraft commander. He mustered out of military service in 1946 and returned to the family farm.

Later in 1946 he joined the Humble Oil & Refining Company as a field seismic technician. He transferred to the Baytown Refinery and retired in 1982 as a Materials Specialist after 36 years of company service. He then began his second career with Germania Farm Mutual Insurance and subsequently was elected to the Germania Board of Directors.

For the years 1962-1965 he coached Little League baseball with the Baytown West League, and was also a long-time fan of the Houston Astros. He was an extremely avid outdoorsman. Victor was a devout born-again Christian and long-time member of Grace Bible Church. He was always of good cheer, kind hearted, gregarious, patient, and unfailingly generous to all around him. He will be sorely missed.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents Ernest H & Stephina Walzel of Beasley Texas. He is survived by his gracious wife of 64 years Jocelyn Walzel, son LtCol Gerald L. Walzel USAF (ret) of Pierre, SD; son Brian K. Walzel, wife Barbara, granddaughters Jessica & Heather of Denver, CO; daughter Annette Sceets, husband George, granddaughter Christine & grandson Nicholas of Baytown, TX; and daughter Marietta McCormack & husband James of Baytown, TX. He is also survived by brother Arthur Walzel of Cypress, TX; brother Gilbert Walzel of Needville, TX; and sister Eleanor Haydon of Argyle, TX; plus a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Walzel family would like to offer a sincere & heartfelt THANK YOU to the medical staff of San Jacinto Methodist Hospital and especially to the Emergency Room and Intensive Care members. And a special THANK YOU to the medical teams led by Dr. Nofal Musfy, Dr. Daniel Nguyen, Dr. Mohammed Khoshnevis, and Dr. Edward Leahey. These caring professionals gave him an extra 10 years of full and productive life. Baytown is blessed to be served by these healers.

His family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home Friday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. A celebration of his life will be held at Navarre Funeral home on Saturday 04 February 2012 at 2:00 PM with Reverend Roy Cloudt of Grace Bible Church officiating.

Victor C. Walzel: son, brother, husband, father, uncle, granddad, airman, oilman, businessman, athlete, outdoorsman, craftsman, mentor, benefactor, Texan-----and above all a citizen and soldier of the United States of America.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.