Wayland Wilson Oatman

Born in Loving, Texas on November 23, 1928, Wayland Wilson Oatman died at home in Bastrop, Texas on October 20, 2012. He was the youngest of five children born to James E. and Mary Jane Oatman. As a boy, Wayland excelled in football and earned All-State honors in basketball for Graham High School. Upon graduation, Wayland earned a basketball scholarship to Texas Christian University where, in addition to academics and athletics, he worked on campus in landscaping and general maintenance before graduating, in 1951, with a B.S. in Education. While at T.C.U. he met the love of his life, Carolyn Faye Clark. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage during which they loved and cared for each other and the four children they were blessed with Steve Oatman, David Clark Oatman, the late Thomas Reed Oatman, and Mary Kay Oatman Thomas. In 1951 he and Carolyn moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where, as a civilian, Wayland taught propellers at Shepherd Air Force Base for two and a half years. In 1958, after living in Dallas in the mid-fifties, he joined the family oil business in Austin, establishing his and Carolyn’s permanent residence and serving as an elder at University Christian Church. In addition to his success as an oilman, Wayland, also known as “WW,” was proud of his Black Angus cattle and his support of area FFA organizations. In business, his right-hand “man” was not a man at all; Jill Green has been indispensible for over 28 years. He was most proud of his family and the core values he raised them to live by. “Your word is your bond,” he said, and closed each deal with a firm handshake. Wayland was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Reed Oatman. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Clark Oatman of Bastrop, his children Steve and Debby Oatman of Austin, David and Neil Oatman of Sugar Land, Pat and Gayla Oatman English of Ft. Worth, and Chris and Mary Kay Oatman Thomas of Dallas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses: Collin, Taylor, Andrew, Clark, Mary, Ryan, Trent, Carolyn and Reed, and one great-grandchild, Stella Oatman. His family will forever remember W.W. as a strong, generous, loving man; to share in his life, his quick wit, his raucous laughter, his warm affection, was an experience unlike any other and one we will miss daily. He will always live in our hearts. Finally, the Oatman family would like to thank Oswaldo Toj, Bar W Ranch Foreman, Ernie Chavarria, Angie Rodriguez and Ida Townsend personal care givers, Dr. Allen Sonstein and Lisa at Adult Care of Austin, Jeri, Morgan, Dr. Harry Goss and all the staff of Fresenius Medical Care and the staff of Hospice Austin for their unwavering support and care. Visitation will be held 10:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at Bastrop Providence Funeral Home in Bastrop, (2079 E. Hwy 71, 78602). Funeral services will be held at Bastrop Christian Church, 1104 Church St. Bastrop, TX 78602 Wednesday the 24th at 11 am. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, 1409 Hwy 95, Bastrop TX 78602. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Helping Hand Home, 3804 Avenue B, Austin, TX 78751 or the Cattlemen For Cancer Association, 650 Cool Water Dr, Bastrop, TX 78602 or the charity of your choice.