Winson Elvin Hester

Winson Elvin Hester, 78, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 6. Winson was born October 6, 1938 in Smiley to William Thomas Hester and Viola Mae Yates Hester. He had graduated with the Gonzales High School Class of 1958 and had been a member of the Smiley Baptist Church. Winson married Edith Mae DeLoach Gerloff on August 4, 1972 in Gonzales.

Winson grew up in the Smiley, Pilgrim and Dewville areas of Gonzales County. Like many young men of the time Winson loved to fish and hunt. His horse was his main source of transportation at the time and it wasn’t uncommon for Winson to ride his horse down the road to a distant neighbor’s house to watch the Andy Griffith Show on one of the only TVs in the area. His family raised chickens so Winson became very familiar with hard work at an early age. He took that work ethic into his 25-year career with the Railroad where he worked at a switchman and later as a welder. After retiring from the railroad, Winson went to work for the Gonzales Independent School District as a groundskeeper, where he worked for another 15 years. Winson continued his love for hunting and fishing through the years and his most memorable moments outdoors were hunting with his son Arlon and enjoying time camping at Lake Bastrop when Arlon and his daughter Rona joined Debbie, Diann and David on the family vacation. He was a voracious reader of Western Novels and would seethe if anyone interrupted his Professional Bull Riding television broadcasts. Winson enjoyed target shooting and reloading his own ammunition and more importantly loved cooking in the kitchen beside his wife nearly 45 years.

Winson was clearly ornery and set in ways, he was always right as his way was the right way, until his first grandchild arrived and ensuing grandchildren and great-grandchildren followed. He was like putty in their little hands and his gentle, loving and caring manner drew those children close his heart. He was “granddaddy” and “Dado” and his world with grandchildren was the best of places to be. Their little hands in his big hands and his broad reassuring smile backed by even broader and strong protecting shoulders lent comfort and assurances of safety to the babies he adored. The ornery, set his ways man long forgotten as “granddaddy” and “Dado” lovingly took his place.

Winson Elvin Hester is survived by his wife Edith Mae Hester of Gonzales, daughters and sons-in-law, Rona Hester Beck and Glenn of Pflugerville, Debbie Malatek and David of Gonzales, Diann Taylor of Gonzales, sons and daughter-in-law, Arlon Hester and Rhonda of Euless, David Ray Gerloff of Austin, grandchildren, Tiffany Malatek, Kyle Hester, Brittaney Taylor, Carly Jewel Hester, Travus Locke, and Denise Fortenberry, great-grandchildren, Aubrina Hester, Seth Brzozowski and Ryland Lowe and a niece and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and two sisters.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 10 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Rev. Clint Lowery officiating. Interment will follow in Gonzales Memorial Park. Pallbearers: Brett Johnson, Kyle Hester, Travus Locke, Jerry Krueger, James Gray and Jimmy Mills. Honorary pallbearers: Kyle Fortenberry, Donnie Mills, Joe Dell Mills, Bubba Ruddock, Lynn Mauldin, Ben Gallardo, Seth Brzozowski and Kiki Polk. Memorials may be made to Norma’s House, 1604 St. Paul St., Gonzales, Texas 78629 or Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office, Fallen Officers Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1757, Gonzales, Texas 78629. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.