Walter Brown Dossett, Jr.

DOSSETT, JR., WALTER BROWN Walter Brown Dossett, Jr., a lifelong Waco resident, died peacefully on Friday, January 31, 2003 at the age of 75. Services will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday February 3 at 11am with the Rev. Frank B. Mangum, Retired officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at 1503 Columbus on Sunday, February 2 from 4-5:30pm. Mr. Dossett served his country both in the United States Merchant Marine during World War II, and later in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He received his B.BA from the University of Texas in Austin in 1950 where he was a Silver Spur and a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Mr. Dossett remained a loyal ex-student and supporter of The University, and ultimately served on the board of the College of Natural Sciences. Mr. Dossett leaves a legacy of dedicated service to Waco and its residents. He served on the Waco City council and was the city’s Mayor Pro Tem during the 1970s. He was a vestry member and Senior Warden at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where he was a life-long member and devoted parishioner. He served as President of The United Way in Waco and was President of The Waco Public Library Board of Directors. He gave generously to countless charitable, educational and civic organizations, and he bravely contributed to the advance of the medical sciences through his willing participation in experimental and emerging treatment alternatives. Mr. Dossett’s business career was long and distinguished. He is the former President of Central Texas Compress Company, and served as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Royal Seating Corporation of Cameron. He was an officer and director of Exporters and Traders Compress and Warehouse Company, Chairman of the Brazos Masonry Corporation Board of Directors, and a principal of Iron Horse Iron Works. He served as a director of the First National Bank of Waco, was a director of Texas Life Insurance Company, and is a former president of the National Cotton Warehouse Association. Mr. Dossett was an active member of the Waco Philosophers Club, and served as president of both Ridgewood Country Club and The Waco Sailing Club. He was an accomplished, competitive and recreational sailor, an avid outdoorsman, and a tireless world traveler. He loved his family and friends, and he remained a voracious reader and avid student of the world throughout his life. Walter Dossett was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Brown and Alethea Sleeper Dossett and by his sister, Jane Dossett Brooks. Mr. Dossett was married for 51 years to the former Mary Martha Dickie of Tyler, Texas. He is also survived by sister Laura Dossett Smith and husband Cullen Smith of Waco; sister Frances Dossett Swann and husband Tommy Swann of Tyler; son Reeder Walter Dossett and wife Dr. Jenny Moody of Valley Mills; son Markham Brown Dossett and wife Susan Stevener Dossett of Waco; daughter Susan Dossett Groetzinger of Waco; daughter Martha Beckham Dossett and partner Nancy Barbour of Houston; daughter Pauline Dossett Whittle and husband Jeff Whittle of Dallas; grandchildren Katharine Dossett Groetzinger, Walter Stevener Dossett, Markham Wilson Dossett, Erin Leigh Whittle, John Clayton Whittle, and Andrew Douglas Whittle; and a host of much-loved cousins, nieces and nephews. Pallbearers at the service will be Piers Bateman, Michael Levine, Bob Wright, Bob Gilbert, Stuart Smith, Tod Swann, Andy Swann, Bruce Bugg, Carson Dickie, IV, Rick Bostwick and Peter Groetzinger. Honorary pallbearers will be Gaylan Beavers, Fred Bostwick, Mackie Bounds, Malcolm Duncan, Sr., Bill Lee, John Mayfield, O.L. Petty, Jr., David Petty, Ross Sams, Hal Stringer, Bill Sandlin and Dan Warren. The Dossett family has requested that in lieu of flowers, Mr. Dossett’s life be celebrated by a gift to the charity of the donor’s choice. Memorial guestbook at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY