Walter L. Dawkins

Walter L. Dawkins of Tyler passed away on Sunday, March 23. He was 89.

Mr. Dawkins was born on Feb. 4th, 1919 in Letochatchie, Ala. He was a veteran. Mr. Dawkins served for 21 years in the United States Air Force during both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was buried in Tyler Memorial Park Funeral Home with full military honors. Douglas Dudley of the Whitehouse Church of Christ officiated the service, with Wally Dawkins, son of Mr. Dawkins giving the eulogy.

Mr. Dawkins was a member of the South Broadway Church of Christ.

He was an outstanding baseball player, twice being offered Major League contracts to play for Boston and Cleveland, only to reenlist in his beloved Air Force. Later in life, he became an avid fan of Whitehouse basketball.

He was preceded in death by both parents, two brothers and two sisters, and one grandchild.

He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Wally and Laurie Dawkins of Whitehouse, Kathy Hale of Ft. Myers, Fla., Nan Dawkins of Leesburg, Va., and Carol Jones of Austin.

Mr. Dawkins is also survived by seven grandchildren including Brady Dawkins of Ft.Worth, Dru Dawkins of Whitehouse, Tim Garner of Smithville, Bracken Hale of Austin, Lee Elissa Hale of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and Kate and Jake Scully of Leesburg, Va., and four great-grandchildren.

If desired, memorials can be made to Hospice of East Texas.