Loyd D. Witte, age 81, of Hondo, passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at his ranch in Yancey. Born Feb. 23, 1932, in Somerville, he was the son of Otto John and Lydia (Schultz) Witte, who preceded him in death. He became a child of God through baptism on May 20, 1932, and was confirmed Aug. 5, 1945, at Immanuel Church in Lyons, TX. He graduated from Somerville High School in 1949. He enrolled in Texas Lutheran University and graduated with a BA degree in Education. He served in the U. S. Army from July 1953 to June 1955. After his discharge from the service, he taught for one year in Shulenberg. On May 27, 1956, he married Helen Kelm of Port Lavaca, and they moved to Austin where Loyd enrolled in the University of Texas and received a BS degree in Ceramic Engineering. Upon graduation in 1960, he took a job at Universal Rundle in Hondo as an engineer. He became plant superintendent which led to the job as plant manager. He retired from Universal Rundle in 1997, and spent many hours at his ranch in Yancey. Loyd and Helen joined St. Paul Lutheran Church when they arrived in Hondo and he was active in many areas of service to the Lord as: councilman, committeeman, one of the founders of the Endowment Committee of the church, participated in Bible studies, and in a prayer group that started after 9-11. He was a superb coffee-brewer for the Sunday Fellowship Time. He served as a member of the Hondo ISD Board for six years. In 1987 he received the "Businessman of the Year" award from the Hondo Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the American Legion, the D'Hanis Lions Club, and nothing could keep him from his Wednesday poker game. Loyd and Helen were blessed with three children, Susan L. Slusser and husband Jeff, Kenneth Loyd Witte and wife Terry and Alan R. Witte and wife Shawnda. Then he was truly blessed with five grandkids that "Grandpa" loved dearly, Sarah, Ryan, Nathan, Jordan and Hannah always brought a huge smile on Loyd's face when they were around. Lloyd loved his family, his friends and his church. He was generous with his time and the gifts that God gave him. His life revealed a quiet, gentle spirit and he loved deeply those in his life. He was a quick "forgiver". God was very real to him, and he trusted Him and refused to worry. He knew that "he was not his own-he had been bought with the price of the blood of Jesus," and he knew that he belonged to the Lord. So, now he is home! A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 28, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, with private interment of his ashes to be at a later date. The family suggests memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund or the charity of one's choice.