Toy Wesley Southerland III's Obituary
Caring husband, father, grandfather, family member and friend, Toy Wesley Southerland III passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2016 at his home in San Leon, TX. Toy was born in Longview, TX on February 24, 1942, and lived there until graduation from Longview High School and Kilgore College. He served in the U.S. Air Force where he played trumpet for honor band assignments. He moved to the Houston area where he met and married Sylvia Tafolla Southerland.
Toy was a successful businessman in the Longview and Houston areas. He was a long-time member of the Longview Greggton Rotary Club, Veteran of Foreign Wars, and American Legion. Toy will be remembered for his sharp wit, his outgoing personality, his contagious laughter, and for the love of his family.
Toy was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia, father Toy Southerland Sr., and brother Nevil Southerland. He is survived by his mother, A. Jane Southerland, daughter Emily (Paul) Rutland, son Matthew Southerland (Iris), grandchildren Sebastian Sundet, Isabella Rutland, Dean Rutland, and Matthew Southerland Jr., two sisters, Patricia Echols (Harry) and Pamela Wendt, and numerous cousins and nephews.
Services will be held at Rader Funeral Home of Longview at 2pm on Monday, December 26, 2016 with visitation at 1pm to 2pm. Burial will follow at Gum Springs Cemetery.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.
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