Walter John Paetzold, Sr.,88, a life long resident of Hereford, Texas; beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2020, in Amarillo, Texas, surrounded by his loved ones after a long and courageous life.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, August 31, 2020, at St. Anthony's Church at 10:00 AM with Father Tony Neusch officiating; burial to follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery. Services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas. Viewing will be Sunday from 3:00-5:30 PM at the funeral home. Rosary to begin at 6:30 PM on Sunday, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Due to COVID – 19 virus mandates everyone attending mass and the rosary must enter through the bell tower entrance and must wear a mask, provided by you. There will be no public restroom or cry room available at the church.

The son of the late John and Helen Paetzold, Walter was born on July 9, 1932, in Hereford, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart, Teresa Fangman, his loving wife for over 68 years on November 19, 1951. Theirs was the first wedding held in the newly built St. Anthony's Church in Hereford. When asked what he liked best about high school, he would always reply, "meeting Teresa." Walter raised his family south of Hereford, which grew to seven children. Teresa's father gave them a heifer calf for a wedding present, which started them in the cattle business.

Walter began farming with his dad; times were hard, fuel was hard to come by, and water was scarce. Some of his brothers went away to WWII and Walter, too young, stayed home and helped his family prosper. The family grew potatoes, lettuce, carrots, wheat, and sugar beets. He enjoyed building and finding easier and better ways to advance the agriculture and ranching industry. After starting his own family, he worked many different jobs. He operated an Oswalt farm and ranching equipment dealership, started a dairy, bagged cattle feed, and built feedlots in Australia and all over the western United States. He was a pioneer in the advancement of farming and raising cattle. He held a US Patent for a moisture reduction press used by cattle feedlots. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the building committee for St. Anthony's Church, performed prison ministry and belonged to many other organizations that improved the lives of others.

Later in life Walter enjoyed working around the house and enjoying his family of four generations. He always had a good story to tell and was loved by all.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Teresa of 68 years, daughters: Wanda Champ and husband Terry of Magnolia, TX, Joni Tackett and husband Mike of La Luz, NM, Loretta Dryden of Canyon, TX, Donna Juett and husband Andy of Argyle, TX; Sons: Walter Paetzold, Jr. and wife Laurie of Hereford, TX, Stanley Carl Paetzold and wife Dallas of Amarillo, TX; 21 grandkids, 28 great grandkids, and 2 great-great grandkids; two brothers: Bobby Paetzold and wife Nancy of Hereford, TX and James Paetzold of Hereford, TX; 2 sisters: Eleanor Williams of Mesquite, TX and Alice Koenig of Hereford, TX.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, one sister, daughter Margie Schlafer, grandson Ryan Champ, and great grandson Jace Turney.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Anthony's Endowment Fund, 114 Sunset Dr., Hereford, TX, or the Alzheimer Association, 1400 Wallace Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79106.

You may go online and sign the guestbook at www.mendezandmullins.com