Walter Joe Burrell, age 89, of D'Hanis passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, in Hondo. He was born Nov. 3, 1917, at the family farm at Biry, a son of Otis and Katie (Mussman) Burrell. He married Gladys Rieber on Aug. 26, 1941. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a son, Walter John Burrell in March 1986; sister, Lorine Mary Leinweber; brothers, Chester Clinton, Edgar, Elmer C., and Fritz Burrell. He attended school in Hondo through the 7th grade when, due to the Great Depression, he was needed on the family farm. At a young age he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and helped build Garner State Park. While working for the CCC, he met Gladys Rieber, who became his wife for the next 56 years. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and after a short time he received a medical discharge. Not able to continue on active duty, he served as a cook at Brook General Hospital. Upon returning to D'Hanis, he was employed at Kelly Air Force Base as a civilian firefighter. At the same time, he and his wife were joint owners of Rieber and Burrell Meat Market in D'Hanis. After 28 years at Kelly, he retired in 1972 but continued to be known as the "handyman of D'Hanis." He was an avid outdoorsman and he thoroughly enjoyed his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, hunting and fishing. He was a member of the D'Hanis Volunteer Fire Department, of which he was the first Fire Chief. He was a member of the Kelly Air Force Retired Fire Fighters Association; and Hal Jones American Legion Post. He is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Joel Curtis of D'Hanis and Karen and J.M. Lindsey of Pearsall; daughter-in-law, Jeannine Cartwright Burrell of Houston; grandchildren, Stephen Burrell of Houston, Dr. Jeff and Karen Curtis of Uvalde, Jason and Tiffany Burrell of D'Hanis, Jay and Tracy Lindsey of Pearsall, Jennifer and Ryan Wiemers of Hondo, Kevin Lindsey and Kimbra Lindsey, both of Pearsall; great-grandchildren, Kayla and Jordan Curtis, Curtis Wayne Wiemers, Walter Kade and Kyle John Burrell. Also surviving are brother and sister-in-law, Otis and Imelda Burrell of D'Hanis, and sister, Cecilia Johnson of Hondo; numerous nephews and one niece. Visitation was Thursday, Dec. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Guinn-Horger Chapel, Hondo. Rosary was recited at 9:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, followed by the Funeral Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church, D'Hanis. The Pallbearers were Lou Lutz, Dennis Burrell, Kenneth Burrell, Bobby Burrell, Charles Burrell, Spencer Burrell, Tommy Johnson, Bobby Leinweber. The honorary Pallbearers were Stephen Burrell, Jeff Curtis, Jason Burrell, Jay Lindsey, Jennifer Wiemers, Kevin Burrell, Kimbra Lindsey. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.