Phillip Ray Walden

Phil was born October 10, 1955, in Brenham, Texas, to Kathryn and Carey "Buncy" Walden. Five years later, the family moved to Georgetown where Phil went to school, graduating from Georgetown High School in 1974.

Following high school, Phil attended the Tyler Junior College, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He graduated in 1979 with an Applied Science degree with a concentration in Ophthalmic Technology and Dispensing. He also attended the University of Texas at Tyler.

While at Tyler Junior College, Phil met fellow student, Theresa Boyd from Whitehouse near Tyler. They were married on January 28, 1978.

Back in Georgetown, Phil went into business where he eventually expanded the firm, Phil Walden Custom Opticians, into a multi-location service in the Central Texas region. More recently he limited his business to Georgetown where his shop in Williamsburg Village attracted a steady and loyal clientele.

His professional interest lead him to assemble a collection of vintage eyewear, but he was also well-known as a collector of vintage stereo equipment and vinyl records. He also enjoyed music, concerts, cars, travel, but his chief interest was people. Friends say he never met a stranger, and customers enjoyed having glasses fitted while listening to vintage recordings and a steady stream of delightful “Phil” stories.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Theresa, his son, Stuart Ray Walden and his sisters, Kathryn Turk of Mesa Arizona, and Suzanne O’Rourke of Georgetown.

Services will be held Saturday, January 14 at 2 pm at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 North Interstate 35 in Georgetown, the Reverend Ricky Poe, officiating. Phil’s ashes will be interred with Theresa when she passes.

Those wishing to make a donation may send it to “The Walden Family” c/o First State Bank Central Texas, 711 San Gabriel Village Blvd, Georgetown, Texas, 78626.