Gayle E Tittle

Gayle Eugene Tittle of Centerville, Texas, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, June 9, 2025, one week following his 99th birthday. Family and close friends attended his final birthday party, and he enjoyed it thoroughly. Gayle was born June 2, 1926, to John and Ruth Tittle in Vilas, Texas, a rural community just outside of Temple. He attended school there and engaged in farm work until enlisting in the U.S. Navy to serve during the Second World War. Following the war, he married his first love, Wilma Calhoun, with whom he had three children: Dennis Gene, Ronald Wayne, and Beverly Ann.

He was a charter member of Pipe Fitters Local 211 in Houston, Texas. He would often reminisce about his experiences working on the Alaska Pipeline, citing the beauty of the landscape and the boldness of the wildlife there. He also prepared tax returns for individuals and businesses, even long after he retired from pipefitting. In addition, he was a partner in many land development projects. It would be an understatement to say that he was a workaholic. If he was not doing paperwork in his office, then he was outside tending to his garden or perfecting his lawn. Gayle enjoyed many outdoor activities, including hunting deer and fishing. He loved watching sports, and it is arguable that he may have been the world’s biggest Houston Astros fan. He later took up RV traveling with his second love, Bonnie, venturing all over the United States. Bonnie fondly recalls their trips, including those to Alaska and to parts of Canada where they shared the good company of close friends and explored the beauty of the natural world.

Gayle was an active member of the Centerville Church of Christ, and his closest relationships were formed with fellow members of the church. He had a tremendous love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and rarely missed an opportunity to gather in worship to sing his praise. To those who knew him well he could be quite headstrong in his beliefs and actions, but he could also be compassionate and accepting. He was also exceedingly generous when helping others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth; wife, Wilma of forty-five years; brother and sister, Roger Mills and Glenn Dean (Lawson); son, Dennis Gene Tittle Sr.; stepson, Darren Bates; and grandchildren, Tammy Hughes and Cody Yarbrough. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie of twenty-nine years; son, Ron Tittle and wife, Ann of Temple, Texas; daughter, Beverly Hathaway and husband, Robert of Springfield, Missouri; stepchildren, Kim Lacey and husband, Danny of Centerville, Texas, and Darryl Bates and wife, Teresa also of Centerville, Texas; grandchildren, Chris Enloe and wife, Misti of Pasadena, Texas, Dennis Gene Tittle Jr. of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Derek Tittle of Georgetown, Texas; step grandchildren, Park Lacey, Krystal Brewer and husband, J.W., Kendra Harris and husband, Brian, Kraig Bates and wife, Brittany, Alex Harris and husband, Colton (all of Centerville, Texas), and Brody Bates of Houston; twenty-one great- grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren (all residing in Texas).

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Walters Funeral Home in Centerville, Texas. Boyd King will officiate the service. Burial will follow in the Sardis Cemetery near Jewett, Texas with military honors rendered by the U.S. Navy. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Pallbearers:  Chris Enloe, Dennis Tittle Jr., Derek Tittle, Park Lacey, J.W. Brewer, Brian Harris, Colton Harris, Kraig Bates

Arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas.