Walter Alphonse DeRoeck

Walter Alphonse DeRoeck, age 80, of Hye, Texas passed away on August 19, 2022.

He was born on June 8, 1942 in St. Niklaas, Belgium and moved with his family to Evanston, Illinois at the age of 5. While attending college, he met and married Judy McAdams. They moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas where they raised their three children and remained for 24 years. Wally and Judy moved to Austin, Texas in 1989. After Judy's death in 2007, Wally met Lucy Farmer. They were married in 2010, and made homes in Hye, Texas; Jacksonville, Texas; and Northeast Harbor, Maine.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy, his three children and their spouses: Kathryn Boykin and husband Patrick, Melinda Young, and Brian DeRoeck and wife Carolyn, his seven grandchildren: Taylor and Chase Boykin; Zach, Dylan and Josh Young; and Jack and Grant DeRoeck, as well as four stepchildren and their spouses: Kristin Ault and husband J.R.; Katie Posada and husband Daniel; Emily Farmer; and Bud Farmer and wife Anne and 12 step grandchildren: Grady, Gretchen and Caroline Ault; Alyssa, Wes and Will Rayon; Halle Hogg, Whitney, Layla and Lucy Griffin; Lake and Forrest Farmer.

Any donations can be made to Community First! Village Austin or Jacksonville Education Foundation. We hope you will join us in honoring Wally by listening to Frank Sinatra and singing "My Way," while lighting a cigar, raising a glass and sharing all the beautiful ways this man touched so many lives. The family will hold a celebration of Wally's life at a later date.

Wally was grateful for his 80 years and for all the love and support that gave his life so much meaning and purpose. His only remaining wish is that his grandchildren marry as well as he did. He considered his greatest fortune being married to two wonderful women.