Walter Arthur Weidner, Jr., age 82 of New Berlin, TX passed away on September 6, 2018. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 10, 2018 at Tres Hewell Mortuary from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Cross Church in Seguin with Rev. Jim Price officiating. Interment will follow in the Schumannsville Cemetery. Walter was born on October 4, 1935 to Walter Arthur Weidner, Sr. and Rosa (Simon) Weidner in New Braunfels, TX. Walter proudly served his country as Sergeant in the United States Army. He was a proud member of Local 142 Plumbers & PipeFitters Union for 60 years where he also served on the Executive Board and as a Labor Organizer after studying in Washington D.C. at the George Meany National Labor College. Walter enjoyed spending time outdoors with friends and family especially going hunting in the Colorado Mountains and fishing in the Texas Coastal waters. He was a charter member the New Berlin Fire Department, and participated on the Church Council, at Cross Church and Redeemer United Church of Christ and Brotherhood at Cross Church. He was instrumental getting the infrastructure out to New Berlin to serve our community with quality drinking water. He valued and enjoyed spending time with his family and many loving friends and enjoyed playing bunco, dancing and bowling. He loved to work the land and his cattle. He enjoyed gardening, and planting and grafting trees. He was completely at home when he was on his farm caring for the cattle and spending time with his favorite dogs. He loved getting together with our aunt and uncle and cousins on his family farm in Schumannsville to make homemade German Sausage and pannus. Walter deeply coveted all of the friends he made in his lifetime from New Braunfels, to Washington, to San Antonio, Seguin, La Vernia, and New Berlin. He never knew a stranger and valued the relationships and friendships he had throughout his lifetime and he carried them deep within his heart, recalling and sharing many wonderful memories along the way. He was our Papa Bear with a big growl but an extraordinarily large heart. It was important for Walter to stay active in the community and in politics. He said it was important for us all to do our part in serving a purpose far greater than our own. His strength and love will be with us always.

Walter is preceded in death by his son, Erick Weidner, his parents, and his brother, Lawrence. Survivors include his wife, Betty; sister, Irene Bretzke; son, Walter III & wife Eileen; daughter, Sharilyn Kelley; and son, Jonathan Weidner; step Children Russell & Terri Schultze, Connie & Brian Green, Debbie Oates, Scott, & Julie Schultze; grandchildren, Quinton Weidner, Kalynn Bressler(husband Mike), Colton Weidner, Greg Offer (wife Angela), Kellie Kuntz (husband Kamron), Amy Smith (Husband Michael), Russell Cole Schultze, Jake Immel, Cayden Schultze, and Amanda Oates; 8 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, other family members and many many friends. We are grateful and thank each of you for the love you shared with Walter throughout his lifetime. Serving as pallbearers will be Quinton Weidner, Colton Weidner, Jerry Simon, Russell Schultze, Scott Bretzke, and Glen Bretzke. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Schultze, Elmon Wiedner, Jerry Brown, Brian Beutnagel, Brian Green, and Wyatt "Butch" Kunde. Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Church Memorial Fund, 814 N. Bauer St., Seguin, Texas, 78155.