Bert H Walling

Bert H Walling III, 67, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2018, at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Texas after an eight-year battle with cancer. He was born on February 9th, 1951 to Dr. Bert Heyward Walling Jr. and Florence Audrey Hill in Charlotte, North Carolina. He lost his mother at a young age and was then raised by his step-mom Sarah Jones Walling. He had one brother, Randolph Richard Walling. They spent most of their life in Kingsville, where Bert graduated high school, attended college at Texas A&I and was active in the Episcopal Church. During college, Bert shared his love for classic rock by working as a DJ using the nickname "Electric Cowboy". He was quite talented and had a unique and charismatic voice. He continued in the communication business and was hired at KTRE as a chief engineer. Many will remember Bert from his career at KRGV, where he spent nearly 20 years, retiring in 2008. Bert had a daughter, Tara and a wife April who he loved very much. April and Bert crossed paths many times before they met at Grace Episcopal in 2000 and God's plan finally brought them together. Bert Walling and April McDaniel were married at Grace Episcopal Church in 2004. They spent the next 14 years enjoying friendship and love. Bert started his own telecommunication company after his retirement and enjoyed many hobbies. He was a car enthusiast and previously owned classics such as his 86' Trans Am Firebird. He loved motorcycles and was fortunate enough to inherit a purple Harley-Davidson motorcycle that, ironically, his brother had named April (before Bert met his wife April). He was a gun enthusiast and used to like to go hunting. He loved sports especially baseball, basketball, and football. His favorite teams to cheer for were the Cowboys, Raiders, Celtics, Astros, Rangers, and Duke University. Bert was an avid reader and enjoyed anything dealing with astronomy, science, and history. He enjoyed all types of music including classical, church hymns, country, classic rock, and contemporary Christian music. Above all, Bert was most passionate about helping the church and was a very active member of Grace Episcopal Church in Weslaco, serving as pledge treasurer and lay reader. He was also active in EFM (Education for Ministry), a four-year distance learning certificate program in Theology. Bert is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Bert Heyward Walling, Sr. and Sara Ethel Weber, maternal grandparents, A.L. Hill and Ida Mosely, his parents, Dr. Bert Heyward, Jr., Florence Audrey Hill, step-mom, Sarah Jones Walling, and brother, Randolph Richard Walling. He is survived by his loving wife, April McDaniel Walling, daughter, Tara Barsch (Gary) of Kyle, TX, step-daughter, Suzette Gaudino, his cousin George Jones, Jr. (Robbie) and their son Aidan Jones, grandchildren, Chelsea Barsch and Austin Barsch, and great-grandchildren, Noah Willoughby-Gonzales and Sophia Willoughby-Gonzales. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 22nd, from 4-9 at McCaleb Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 23rd, at 11 am, Grace Episcopal Church in Weslaco, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Grace Episcopal Church for the "The Schwarz Project". Schwarz was the bear who was always with Bert in every hospital room, nursing facility and rehab center. The Schwarz Project will provide washable stuffed bears to tender souls who need comfort.