CPO WOODROW WILSON “WOODY” WALD, USN
19 May 1917  -  2 October 2008

Woodrow "Woody" Wald was born in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, to the late John Wald, Sr. and Mary Anna (Gladback) Wald. Mr. Wald, age 91, passed away at his home in Sherman, Texas, surrounded by his loving family.
"Woody" served in the US Navy during World War II as a Chief Radio Officer on the USS Pelias in the South Pacific.
On August 6, 1944 he married Genevieve Wald in Vallejo, California. They were blessed with two daughters.
After the war, he and Gen purchased the Wald family farm in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, where he farmed for five decades. They also maintained a residence in Oxnard, California, and later in Sherman.
His wife, his children and grandchildren, friends, farming, and politics were his passions. He was bigger than life, and will be greatly missed.
"Woody" was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Parish in Sherman and All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and one sister.
Left to cherish his memories, Mr. Wald is survived by his wife of 64 years, Genevieve of Sherman; two daughters, Janna Faith of Sherman and Mary Gunn and her husband Lindsey of Oxford, Mississippi; two grandchildren, Tonya Stevens Bell and husband Charlie Bell, Jr. of Sherman and John Faith of Sherman; two great granddaughters, Linzie and Katie Stevens, both of Sherman; and one sister, Rose Marie Coon of Illinois.
A Mass of Christian Burial for was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Rev. Jeremy Myers officiated with services under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home.
Burial with military honors followed at St. Mary's Cemetery with John Faith, Lindsey Gunn, Lewis Faith, Charlie Bell, Jr., Dan Keller, Carl Pritzkau, and Henry Hilley serving as pallbearers.

Genevieve “Gen” Elizabeth Hilley Wald was born on a farm near Willow, Oklahoma, the daughter of Frank Marion Hilley and Mary Sam Lowe Hilley. Gen was the only daughter, but enjoyed the love of a large family of six brothers.  From her earthly home in Sherman, Texas, Genevieve was taken home surrounded by her loving family.
On 6 August 1944, she married Woodrow "Woody" Wald in Vallejo, California. She stayed in the San Francisco Bay Area for the remaining months of the war to be near her husband as he completed his Pacific wartime naval service.
Shortly after the war, they purchased a farm in Dewey County, near Eagle Butte, South Dakota and over the years acquired neighboring farms. Gen actively participated in the management of the farm, and was also involved in her church and community.
Gen and Woody had two daughters, Janna Wald Faith and Mary Wald Gunn. In 1951,the family established a second home in Oxnard, California, so that their daughters had a base for attending Santa Clara Catholic Schools. The family always spent the summers on the farm in South Dakota. While in Oxnard, Gen was the Director of the Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine Program for years and regularly substituted on campus. An artistic person, she earned a degree in millinery design and created beautiful hats for several decades while also teaching the art. In 1969, Gen and Woody moved to Sherman, to be near their daughters who were students at Austin College and continued to farm in South Dakota.
A loving involved parent and supreme homemaker, she was known for her fabulous southern cooking. Her award winning desserts and breads were always sought after at charity and bazaar functions. She loved hosting family and friends for huge Sunday dinners and enjoyed leading political and travel conversations.
Gen traveled the world with her husband and daughters for over thirty years. In addition to her love of travel, one of her greatest joys was her avid interest in politics. She would proudly explain to you that she had voted in every Presidential election from the time she was eligible to vote and was very proud of this distinction.
Gen was preceded in death by her loving husband of sixty-four years, Woodrow, her parents Frank Marion Hilley and Mary Sam Lowe Hilley, and her brothers Joseph, Travis, Luther, O'Henry, Sam, and Garvin.
She is survived by her daughters Janna Wald Faith and Mary Wald Gunn and Mary's husband Lindsey Gunn, grandchildren Tonya Stevens Bell and John Faith, great-grandchildren Linzie and Katie Stevens, and great-great granddaughters Giselle and Ava.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. Jeremy Myers, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sherman, followed by burial at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Pallbearers were John Faith, Tonya Stevens Bell, Lindsey Gunn, Lewis Faith, Charlie "JR" Bell, Martin Hilley, Sam Derick Hilley, and Frank Hilley. Honorary pallbearer was Carl Pritzkau.

And to all her friends and family she would say,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rain fall softly upon your fields until we meet again,
And may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
(A Gaelic Farewell)

Above paraphrased from the obituary provided by Waldo Funeral Home, Sherman.