Willie Mae Wilson Haydon left the home she had lived in since 1943, and went to her heavenly home to be with her Savior on July 28, 2017.
Willie Mae was born on her grandfather Wilson’s ranch between Dripping Springs and Driftwood, TX, on October 12, 1918 to John William Wilson and Clara Haster Wilson. She grew up and went to school in the Dripping Springs and Driftwood area. She had vivid memories of walking to the Driftwood school and riding to school in Dripping Springs on horseback with her sister, Fannie Rae. She graduated from Dripping Springs High School as salutatorian in 1936. After graduation from high school, she attended beauty school in Austin.
January 1, 1938, Willie Mae married Alva C. Haydon, a marriage that would last 77 years, until Alva’s death in 2015. Later in 1938, they returned to Dripping Springs where Alva worked in his father’s cotton gin, and Willie Mae opened her beauty shop. Alva opened Central Garage in 1939, and later Willie Mae became the bookkeeper for many years. Alva and Willie Mae were blessed with two sons, Charlie and Robert.
Willie Mae was always an active person with a heart for service. During WWII, while her husband was away serving in the navy, Willie Mae opened her home to teachers needing a place to live. She was a 75 plus year member of the Dripping Springs Eastern Star #860, and was the last surviving charter member. She was a member of Dripping Springs First Baptist Church for over 85 years, having been baptized at the age of 12 in the cool waters of Onion Creek at Camp Ben McCulloch. She loved serving her Lord through teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, serving as church clerk for many years, and loved singing alto in the church choir and Gospelaire Quartet. Willie Mae served in the local PTA, was a charter member of the General Ben McCulloch United Daughters of the Confederacy, and volunteered for many years at the Senior Citizen’s Thrift Store.
She was a talented lady and gracious hostess. Willie Mae enjoyed gardening, handwork, painting, and was an excellent seamstress and cook. Friends were always welcome at their home for a game of 42, 84, Canasta, or Skip-Bo. She and Alva traveled extensively with their travel trailer club up until their 90’s.
Willie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Allene Breed, and Fannie Rae Bryant, brother J. W. Wilson, and husband Alva Haydon.
She is survived by sons Charles W. Haydon and wife Sherry of Dripping Springs, and Dr. Robert L. Haydon and wife Martha of Brenham; grandchildren Kerri Haydon Hamilton (Vance), Laura Haydon Russell (John), Chad Haydon (Laura), Lea Anne Haydon Schroeder (Brad), Jason Haydon (Kelly), twelve great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and numerous friends.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the wonderful caregivers who lovingly cared for Willie Mae. Thank you to Kay Meinen, Mary Rasbury, Mimi Garcia, Ashley Arredondo, Bersha McIntyre, Fran Burns, Jessica DeLeon, Sara DeLeon, and granddaughter Laura Russell. Special thank you to Friends Foundation Volunteers Dr. and Mrs. Bill Goodman, and Anna Voges, who became dear friends, and to Blue Bonnet Palliative Care who provided excellent care and support.
Pallbearers are Chad Haydon, Jason Haydon, Vance Hamilton, John Russell, Brad Schroeder, Barry Haydon, and Haydon Russell.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 1, from 6:00-8:00pm at First Baptist Church, Dripping Springs.
The service for Willie Mae will be held Wednesday, August 2, at 10:00am at First Baptist Church Dripping Springs with Dr. David Smith officiating. Interment will be at Phillips Cemetery in Dripping Springs.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church Dripping Springs, 203 W. Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.
Condolences may be sent to: www.harrellfuneralhomes.com.
