Dick Wooten, Sr.

Dick Wooten, Sr. May 7, 1924 - September 1, 2010 Morris Richard Dick Wooten, Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 1, 2010. There will be a celebration of his life at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 7th at First United Methodist Church of Waco with Rev. Stephen Ramsdell officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 6th, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Dick was born May 7, 1924 in Hillsboro, Texas to Melvin and Esther Wooten. He was a graduate of Hillsboro High School and attended Hill Junior College before entering the Navy, where he served from 1943 to 1946 as a pharmacist mate in Guam and Iwo Gima, evacuating wounded soldiers. He was honorably discharged in March of 1946. He met and married Elsie G. Zeigler, the love of his life, on August 15, 1946, after a chance meeting at a church choir practice where she was playing the piano. They moved to Waco in 1947. He graduated from Baylor University in 1948 with a degree in business. He worked for the National Cash Register Company briefly and then worked for K.W.T.X. Radio as a salesman, retiring 32 years later in 1986. Dick's love for God, his family and his country were the focus of his life. He lived out his faith in every area of his life and touched countless individuals over the years with his sweet spirit and genuine love of people. He and his wife were members of the First United Methodist Church in Waco for over 60 years, where they helped found The Wesleyan Workers Sunday school class. In 1976 he was president of the Baylor-Waco Foundation. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John R. Wooten and sister, Thelma Benkley. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elsie G. Wooten; one son, Dick Wooten, Jr. of Waco, pastor of Stonegate Community Church; one daughter, Peggy Mathews of Austin; three grandchildren, Bryan Wooten and wife, Gina, missionaries in Thailand; Chad Wooten of Waco; and Jeff Reedy and wife, Ofelia, of Austin; and four great grandchildren. Pallbearers are Johnny Appell, Chad Wooten, Mike Bransford, Jeff Reedy, David Zeigler and Joe Spivey. Honorary pallbearers are the Wesleyan Workers Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Stonegate Community Church, 10020 Panther Way, Waco, 76712, or charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.