T. Wimberly

T.W. Wimberly, 86, of Burton, died December 26, 2012 in Scott and White Hospital in Brenham. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 29 in St. John''s United Church of Christ in Burton with Pastor Glen Schoeneberg officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, December 28 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. T.W. was born April 30, 1926 in Okemah, Oklahoma to Taylor and Pearl Wimberly. In 1944, his desire to join the US Navy was so strong that he inlisted on the day he turned 18. He served on the USS Barnes aircraft carrier in the South Pacific during WWII. After his discharge from the service, he moved back to Houston and went to work for Armco Steel, where he worked for 37 years until retirement. On August 27, 1947, T.W. married Nelda Heidemann at Zion Lutheran Church in Houston and resided in Houston for 41 years. In 1984 they moved permanently to Burton, Texas where they enjoyed their retirement years. T.W. and Nelda were members of Peace Lutheran Church in Houston and have been members of St. John''s United Church of Christ in Burton for over 20 years. His services to the church was a very rewarding and a grateful period in his life. T.W. is a member of the American Legion Post No. 48 in Brenham, Texas, a member since 1965 of the Burton Fire Department and a lifetime member of United Steelworkers of America. T.W. is preceded in death by his wife, Nelda, his parents, and his brothers and sisters, Marion, Sherman, Minnie and Winnie. T.W. is survived by his children, Tommy Wimberly, Michael Wimberly and Sandra Wimberly, all of Houston; Betty Loth and Cheryl Harris, companions of his two sons; granddaughters and their spouses, Kimberly and Dr. Robert Lambeth, Brandi and Jeff Gilliland of Katy, Texas; Shari and Richard Crispi of Baytown, Texas; four great-grandchildren, Crystal Neely, Ashley Gilliland, Lindsay and Zachary Lambeth; nieces and nephews that he held dear to his heart; and church friends and neighbors that were always there for him. Some of his proudest moments in life were his confirmation and baptism, his service to his country, his wedding day, raising his three children and being brought up by Christian parents. He recently said "If I could live my life over again, I would not change a thing". Memorial gifts may be given to St. John''s United Church of Christ Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 180, Burton, Texas 77835 or Hospice Brazos Valley, 302 East Blue Bell Road, Brenham, TX 77833. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit: www.memorialoakschapel.com.