Steve A Hanvey

Steve was born in Wichita Falls, TX on Monday, October 17, 1955 to Elmer and Hazel Hanvey. He graduated from S. H. Rider High, where he sang in the choir, and then went on to Texas Tech University, where he would graduate with a degree in architecture before returning to Wichita Falls to begin his career. During first job in the field he found his best friend and love of his life, Adell Wachsmann, and they were married on June 7, 1980. Shortly thereafter he started working as an architect in the Civil Engineering Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, where he would stay for the remainder of his career.

His family grew in 1985 and 1987 to include his two sons, Isaac and Harrison. Steve was an Eagle Scout, and when his sons became old enough, he enrolled them in Cub Scouts, where he took on the mantle of Cub Master at Pack 138 for six years. He then followed them to Troop 34 where he was an adult leader in various roles for another thirteen. Including his earlier time as a leader with Troop 15, he taught and guided generations of young men for over two decades.

Steve loved to work with his hands. He grew up helping his Uncle Kirk, a local homebuilder, and learned woodworking in his father’s shop. As he raised his two sons, he shared this passion with them by involving them in numerous projects, ranging from building a backyard patio to constructing a fence for Isaac’s Eagle Scout project. When they were old enough to drive, he helped them rebuild a 1969 Ford Falcon and a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle, and during the last decade of his life, he owned a 1966 Plymouth Barracuda that won several awards at local car shows.

For Steve, his family always came first. There wasn’t a night that passed that they didn’t eat dinner around the table together. He and Adell sacrificed much to send their sons to Notre Dame Catholic School, where they would receive a good education in a faith-filled environment. When the kids started playing sports, taking music lessons, and doing theatre, he and Adell spent countless hours going to games, attending rehearsals, and driving to tournaments. They also took family vacations to go camping every summer. When Adell got tired of sleeping on the ground in a tent, they bought a popup camper. And after one trip was spent sweating in that camper in the scorching Texas heat, Adell refused to go again until he installed an air conditioner. They also spent many weekends at Lake Diversion, where his sons would learn to fish and water ski.

Faith has always been at the center of Steve’s life. He was an active member of Men In Christ prayer group at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church for many years, and volunteered there as a lector and eucharistic minister. He was a leader at parish retreats, and volunteered his skills as an architect by serving as the chair of the parish building committee when OLQP built a new sanctuary.

Steve will be remembered for many things: He was a family man, a devoted husband, and a loving father. He was a dear friend to many, honest and upright, and happy to serve in any way he could. He was trustworthy, wise, humble, and always putting the needs of others before himself. He was known for his gentle smile and sense of humor. He was always immensely grateful, no matter the situation, for all the gifts God had blessed him with. Steve was a good, Christian man.

He is preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Hazel Hanvey. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Adell Hanvey; his two sons Isaac and Harrison Hanvey; and his two grandchildren, Rhett and Marlowe Hanvey. He is also survived by his sister Connie Negri and husband Larry, and his sister Darla Kitchen and husband Dick.

The Vigil and Rosary will be on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home Chapel, 1917 Archer City Hwy, Wichita Falls, Texas 76302. The funeral will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 2601 Lansing Blvd, Wichita Falls, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace or your favorite charity. Services are entrusted to Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home.