Alice Walker Yates Bidelspach

Alice Bidelspach of Waco, Texas, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday, June 5, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at home. Visitation will be 5 – 7 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 10, at First Presbyterian Church of Waco, with the Rev. Dr. Leslie King officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Alice was born December 2, 1929, in Waco, Texas, to Virgil Harris Walker and Marie Pryor Brazelton. One of the highlights of her childhood was attending Camp Waldemar in the summer. She graduated from Waco High in 1947 where she was given the honor of Football Queen. After completing high school she attended Columbia College for a year and then transferred to the University of Texas, where she pledged Pi Beta Phi. As a child she developed a love for art and that passion led her to exhibiting in numerous art shows and festivals across Texas, including the Brazos River Festival. She was an accomplished artist specializing in oils, pastels, watercolor, and sculpture. Some of her proudest accomplishments were being invited to hold a solo exhibition at the San Antonio River Walk and being commissioned to sculpt the bust of Lavonia “Bobbie” Barnes for the Helen Marie Taylor Museum. Alice married her high school friend, William “Bill” Bidelspach in 1991. They enjoyed traveling and sharing quality time with their blended families. They were active members of First Presbyterian Church of Waco. Alice was also a member of the Junior League of Waco, Historic Waco Foundation, and very involved in Cotton Palace. She enjoyed her weekly activities with friends including the Thursday Study Club and the Wednesday Art Group, that lasted over 40 years. These friendships brought many happy times. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, James Brazelton Walker; former husband, James McLaurin Yates; husband, William “Bill” Bidelspach; son, James McLaurin Yates, Jr.; and her daughter, Katharine Yates Curry. Most of all, Alice loved her large family and many friends. She is survived by her children, Sandra Suhren Hamblin and husband, Pierce, of Lexington, Kentucky; Alice Yates Petrich and husband, Edward “Rowdy,” of Waco, Texas; Lisa Bidelspach of Houston, Texas; her grandchildren, Rachel, Walker, Rebekah, Laurin, Taylor, Allison, Haley, and Grady; seven great grandchildren; her lifelong best friend, Sue Getterman; and dear cousin, Lynn Thompson. The family would like to thank all her caregivers who truly became friends especially, Pat Willis and Cindy Willis. Her family would like to thank Bluebonnet Hospice as well, for their extraordinary care. Pallbearers are Walker Hamblin, Jim Curry, Matthew Burton, Brody Potts, Ryan Mikec and Lisa Bidelspach. Honorary pallbearers Edward “Rowdy” Petrich and Pierce Hamblin. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Waco, Braz Walker Memorial Aquarium c/o Cameron Park Zoo, Step-One c/o www.step-one.org, or charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.