Claude W. “Wally” Shute, 61, of Deweyville, passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. Born on February 7, 1951 in Silsbee, Texas to his parents, Fred and Lillian (Morris) Shute, raised in Buna he was a longtime resident of Deweyville, he worked as a Truck Driver for the South Hampton Refining Company in Silsbee and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Deweyville. Wally was a very simple man who enjoyed fishing, tinkering in his shop, driving big trucks and spending time with his family. He will be remembered as a man who never asked for anything, was always helping others and he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with his little J. Ray.

Wally is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Alice Faye Shute, Ailene Sheppard and Iris Clark; his niece, Alice Faye West; his nephews, David Berry and Grady West; his sister-in-law, Judy Shute and his brother-in-law, Richard “Doe Doe” Cheatwood. Those who will most cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 35 years, Betty Shute of Deweyville; his daughters, Linda Gayle Smith and husband, Donnie of Deweyville and Glenda Marie Bland and husband, Jamey of Orangefield; sons, Bennett “Man” Hatcher and wife, Michelle of Deweyville and Claude Douglas Shute and fiancée, Kayla Bryan of Orange; his sisters, Lurla West and husband, Bruce of Orange, Laverne Keen and husband, William of Cleveland, Texas, Virginia O’Banion and husband, Gary of Buna, Rita Williamson and husband, Jim of Buna, Hattie Jenkins and husband, Steve of Deweyville and Nona Clark and husband, Boo of Kirbyville; his brothers, James Shute and wife, Glenda of Orange and Forest Shute of Buna; grandchildren, Jacob Smith and wife, Dallas, Faith Jordan Bland and Samantha Michelle Hatcher; great grandson, Rossyn Smith and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Services to honor Wally’s life will be at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, June 24, 2012 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Deweyville with Brother John Fortenberry, officiating. The eulogy will be read by Cody Knott. Rite of Committal and Interment will follow services in the Deweyville Cemetery in Deweyville. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Saturday at the church. Honoring Wally as pallbearers are Earl Holmes, Calvin Hough, Billy Knoblach, Tom McGowen, James Raglyn and Turner Evans. Honorary pallbearers are George Leavings and Bo Berry. The Shute family wishes to especially thank all of the nurses and aids on the 4th Floor Southeast at St. Elizabeth Hospital for the loving care given to Wally during his final days. Thanks also go out to Dr.’s Jay Schachner, Kurt Lee, Nathan Marchand and Raja Chennupati for their care and guidance. For those who desire memorial contributions, please make a donation in memory of Wally to the American Cancer Society, 755 South Eleventh Street, Suite 212, Beaumont, Texas 77701-3723. Services are under the direction of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Condolences for the family may be sent to www.dormanfuneralhome.com.