Walter Wayne “Javelina” Spahn passed away at his home on February 5, 2017 at the age of 82 surrounded by family. Wayne was born at home in Gonzales on November 29, 1934 to Walter Adam and Veda Caraway Spahn. He graduated from Gonzales High School in 1954 and married Loretta Barta on June 23, 1956. Farming and ranching and building chicken houses and barns throughout the area may have been his vocation, but his avocation was hunting and mentoring hunters. Nothing gave him more pleasure than taking a new hunter whether young or old on their first hunt. His rifle range by his home often served hundreds of shooters per year, with him usually sighting in their deer rifles in October. After graduation, Wayne joined the US National Guard where he received both the Soldier of the Year and Sharpshooter awards. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and has donated both his time and efforts in support of the organization. Through 34 plus years of hosting turkey symposiums, aka the turkey BBQ, Wayne was instrumental in reviving the wild turkey population in our area and prided himself in the ability to call them in off the roost. He was recognized as an “Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist” by the Gonzales County Soil & Water Conservation District. When the state of Colorado required a hunter’s safety certification to hunt, Wayne took it upon himself to become the first instructor of the Texas Hunters Safety Program and over the years, taught and supervised more than 2000 students, including his children and all of his grandchildren. Later in life he acquired the art of knife making and many a person carries that favorite knife today. Wayne had the opportunity to hunt throughout North America taking a variety trophies along the way. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Adam and Veda Caraway Spahn, brothers Lewis Spahn, Kenneth Spahn and sisters Linda June Spahn, Odessa Harborth, and twin Elaine Martin Rose. He is survived by wife Loretta Barta Spahn, children Rex and wife Ruth from Caldwell, Janelle Sloan and husband Scott from Denver, Colorado, Lori Raabe and husband Ralph from Gonzales, and Matt and wife Lori Lyn from Seguin as well as ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren and sister Joy Spahn Low of Gonzales. The grandkids will lovingly remember their Grandad as the best marksman, storyteller and ice cream maker. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 8 at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, 906 St. Paul, in Gonzales at 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be Thursday, February 9 at 10:00 AM at Seydle- Hill with the Rev. Clint Lowery officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers are his grandsons Jason Sloan, Thom Raabe, Colton Spahn, Ryan Spahn, Travis Raabe, Wyatt Spahn, Justin Tidey and Jason Foura. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Ave., Victoria, Texas 77901 or Memorial Heights Baptist Church, 1330 N. College St., Gonzales, Texas 78629, where he was an active member.

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