Palestine High School Alumni Association

08 / 19 / 1911  –  01 / 01 / 2008

Young Bird Walston, 96, passed away on January 1, 2008. Y.B. was born August 19, 1911, in Elkhart, Texas to William and Nora Walston.

Y.B. worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad for 47 years. He retired in Osawatomie, Kan. in 1976. He was honored in Palestine several years ago as the only living employee of the IGN Railroad.

Y.B. was a 64-year member of the Palestine AF&AM No. 31, Chapter RAM No. 10, Willie Stewart Council, R&SM No. 20, Grand Commandery Knight Templar No. 3 and a charter member of the Sharon Shrine. He also was a member of The Order of Eastern Star, No. 395, Palestine, Tx.

Y.B. was preceded in death by his parents, William and Nora Walston; his brothers, Homer and Virgil Walston; his sisters, Gaynelle Stephens and Estelle Walston; and his first wife, Helen Walston.

Y.B. is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary Walston; by his children: Charles Walston (wife Charleen), Marian Boland (husband Marvin), Frank Wards (wife Linda), Jane Ralston (husband Greg) and Sheryl Wards; his brother, Sydney (wife Gail) and sister, Evaun Ramsey. He also is survived by 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Masonic graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2008 at Garden of Memory Cemetery in Elkhart, Tx. with the Rev. William W. Rodgers officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bailey and Foster Funeral Home of Palestine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Shriners Children’s Hospital in memory of Y.B. Walston. Donations should be sent to Palestine Masonic Temple No. 31, c/o Walston Fund, P.O. Box 523, Palestine, TX, 75803.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 01-03-2008