Weldon Hey Whalen

Weldon "Hey" Whalen, age 85, of West, passed away Tuesday evening, April 1, 2008 at St. Catherine Center in Waco. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church in West, with Dr. John Crowder officiating. Burial will follow at Vaughan Cemetery near Aquilla. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Weldon was born March 23, 1923 near Aquilla, the son of Preston and Lee (Vines) Whalen. He attended schools in Aquilla and was a graduate of Aquilla High School. On September 28, 1942, he was united in marriage to Bettye Sue Hudson in Hillsboro. She preceded him in death on February 16, 1998. In serving his country, he joined the United States Air Force and served during World War II. Weldon and Bettye owned and operated Whalen's Cleaners in West for over 40 years until their retirement in 1986. He was also a farmer and rancher. Weldon was a longtime and faithful member of the First Baptist Church of West. He was also a retired member of the West Volunteer Fire Department and a member of West Kiwanis, West Longhorn Club and the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed working with his cattle, quail hunting, water skiing, playing volleyball, basketball, and baseball. He especially loved spending time with his family. Weldon also enjoyed visiting with his friends at County Line Grocery and having morning coffee with his friends at Gerik's Ole Czech Bakery. He is also preceded in death by his parents; a son, Ronald "Ronnie" Whalen; four brothers, William "Billy" Whalen, Preston Whalen, Wendel Whalen, and an infant brother, Johnie James Whalen. Survivors include a son, Reggie Whalen and his wife Martha Ann of West; a daughter-in-law, Linda Whalen of Aquilla; five grandchildren, Jimmie Sue Gibson and husband David, Rhonda Embry and husband Jason, Wendy Ellis and husband Daniel, Weldon L. Whalen and friend, Haley Hitter, and Whitney Carter and husband Brent; three great grandchildren, Kara Mynarcik and husband Alex, Jase Embry and Brazos Gibson; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Active pallbearers are Weldon Whalen, Daniel Ellis, Brent Carter, Jason Embry, David Gibson and Alex Mynarcik. Honorary pallbearers are Jake Tucker, Bacil Tanner, Donald Horn, Bobby Minix, Pee Wee Zahirniak, Wayne Money and Friends from County Line Grocery, Gerik's Ole Czech Bakery and West Volunteer Fire Department. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, West Volunteer Fire Department, West Volunteer Ambulance Association or Providence Hospice.