Walter James Hermis passed away on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many.
Walter Hermis was born on Jan. 7, 1940, and attended St. John Catholic School before continuing his education at Schulenburg High School, where he was a proud member of the school band. His dedication to service led him to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he had the honor of playing in the national band.
His professional journey began at Union Pacific, and he later joined Westinghouse Elevator Company as an elevator mechanic and a proud member of the International Union of Elevator Constructors 31. After briefly leaving to start his own company, Elevator Service Professionals, he returned to Westinghouse/ Schindler as an executive to secure unprecedented success for the Houston market. During his tenure at Westinghouse/ Schindler, he was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to the Quality Improvement Process award in 1988 and again in 1991. Additionally, in 1993 he was awarded as the MVP for Service Recovery by Schindler. After numerous awards and lifetime achievements, he retired as an executive with over 30 years of service.
In his well-earned retirement, he enjoyed life on his homestead in St. John alongside his beloved wife, Josie, and grandson Dylan, who Walter loved and raised as his own son. He was very passionate about hunting, fishing, playing at the casino, doing things now and his way, hard work, raising cattle, and building his farm. Walter was an extremely proud man who believed in hard work, good manners, respect for his elders, devotion to family, and insistence on perfection for everything in which he was involved. As a man of strong faith, he was deeply devoted to the Catholic Church and actively supported St. Rose and Sacred Heart Catholic Schools as well as St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Additionally, he was an enthusiastic member of the Shiner Hobo Band. He spent the rest of his days surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.
Walter Hermis is survived by his loving wife, Josephine “Josie” Hermis; children, Kevelyn Merritt, Laura Adams, Walter Hermis Jr. and wife Tara, Fred Hermis and wife Lisa, Angie Taggart and husband John, Michael Acosta and husband Clifford Mertink, and Richard Acosta; grandchildren, Dylan Goldberg, Paul Hermis, Dereck Merritt, Drew Whisenhunt, Maxwell Hermis, Benton Hermis and wife Leigh, Annabelle Kasowski and husband Jake, Ryan Hermis and wife Diana, Nicholas Hermis and wife Jamie, Ashley Hermis, Allie Litofsky and husband Josh, Mattie Taggart, and Emmie Howard and husband Travis; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Gracie Sumbera; brother, Harvey Hermis and wife Evelyn; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Martha Hermis; daughter, Diane Goldberg and husband Ross; grandchild, Devan Goldberg; sister-in-law, Carmen Rodriguez; and brothers-in-law, Emilio Menchaca Jr., Leonard Sumbera and Roland Menchaca.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in St. John. Interment followed in St. John Cemetery with military honors conducted by Schulenburg American Legion. The family received friends at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home and the parish rosary was recited at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Schulenburg, Sacred Heart Catholic School in Hallettsville, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in St. John, St. Jude, or a charity of one’s choice.