Walter Austin Light Jr.

Walter Austin Light Jr., 74, born April 7, 1942, went to join our Heavenly Father on March 23, 2017. Austin was born and raised in Rolla, MO. He was a Vietnam Veteran who proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Austin was also a member of the American Legion Post 99. He retired in 2007 from the Albuquerque City Transit Department. He was a beloved husband, amazing father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, also known to his grandkids as “POP”. On October 12, 1968 in Albuquerque, New Mexico he married Mary Angel Gonzales and they spent more than 48 years together. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Arah (Keeney) Light Sr.; step-mother, Mavis Light; brothers, Harry Mitchell and Robert Mitchell; niece, Angela Holtkamp and granddaughter, Miranda Light. Austin is survived and will forever be missed by his wife, Mary A. Light of Rio Rancho, NM; daughters, Karen Linda (Grant) Preston of Albuquerque, NM, Susan Marie (Janet Smith) Light of Albuquerque, NM, Stacey Mavis Light of Wichita, KS, Dolly Renee Santistevan of Albuquerque, NM, Debborah Patchen, and his Fur-Baby, Moxie Light of Rio Rancho; sister, Karen (Mike) Holtkamp of Rolla, MO; uncle, Raymond (Margie) Keeney of St. James, MO; sister-in-law, Brenda Mitchell; step-sister, Janet (Tom) Scheffer of Rolla, MO; as well as son-in-law, Keith Souza, several sisters and brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. Austin was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Austin was well known by his family and friends for his warped sense of humor and wicked sarcasm. We will all miss being asked if our mothers had any kids that lived. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date.