Where there's a need
Brownsboro resident W.D. Lewis devotes life to service
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Nathan Straus Photo W.D. Lewis shows off his construction of Christ's Last Supper. The piece is made entirely of unpainted wood, and took him four years to create.

W.D. Lewis (Wilford Deeds) doesn't like talking about how great he is, but someone whose life goal is to help those in need sometimes can't avoid others doing the bragging for him.

One of the 87-year-old Brownsboro resident's favorite causes is the children of Casa, a group that recruits volunteers to advocate for kids in the foster care system.

LeAnn Millender, executive director of the Casa of Trinity Valley, said W.D. first contacted the Casa office at least six years ago.

"He's well known around the office," Millender said. "He is a great person who has a heart for the Lord and those in need. He's one of our most consistent providers."

Being consistently generous is a highly valued trait for those who are consistently in need. Millender said every year at Christmas Casa can count on Lewis to provide Christmas presents for those with a dishearteningly bare tree.

Lewis himself said he heard about the Athens-based organization for abused children as far back as 12 years ago. He has since taken it upon himself to provide Christmas gifts for a huge portion of almost 200 children in Casa's system.

"Last year the most wanted item on five children's lists was a Bible," Lewis said. "I've been thinking about that all year."

Thought turned into action as Lewis began raising money for Bibles in September for this very occasion. The result? Lewis purchased 192 Bibles.

"These Casa kids really need help. They were born into a family that didn't want them," Lewis said about his reason for devoting so much of his energy to helping the Casa children.

Elton Caldwell, superintendent of Brownsboro Independent School District, said he serves in the Kiwanis Club with Lewis. The Kiwanis Club's primary function is to provide scholarships to those graduating out of Brownsboro Independent School District.

"He's a very giving and loving individual," Caldwell said. "We've handed over our Christmas projects to him since he's been in the club."

Lewis, Caldwell said, gathers the names of kids who need toys and people the club needs to contact, all to make sure the each child on the list has a big smile on Christmas morning.

Caldwell also said Lewis organizes participation for the Halloween event at the fishery in Athens where Lewis works.

"He's a fascinating individual. He's always busy, and usually it's to help others," Caldwell said.

Lewis said he began to volunteer for the fishery after moving to Brownsboro from Fort Worth area.

"I really enjoy working at the fishery two days a week," Lewis said. "I give talks and serve as a tour guide or presenter, as we like to be called."

Lewis moved to Brownsboro in 1982 when he sold his lumber business in Fort Worth. He and his beloved wife Dottie built their house in three phases.

There were five lumber yards with Lewis' name on them in Fort Worth, and each had a specific purpose. One, for example, would specialize in producing housing lumber.

"I love building. Built this house in three years," Lewis said, "one for each phase." However, his house isn't all he built; the fire station across from FM 607 also went up at Lewis' command. Lewis re- ceived a miniature statue of a fireman helping a child for his work.

"I don't do it for the recognition," Lewis said of his continual charity work, "I do it because it's a need, and if there's a need, I go to work on it."

Being a religious man, Lewis found a church home as soon as he came to East Texas.

"I've gone to Leagueville Baptist Church since moving down here," Lewis said.

Lewis also said his faith has had a profound impact on his desire to help others. Specifically, his desire to imitate Christ has caused him to devote more and more time to fulfilling needs.

Though he devotes so much of his time to charity, part of the reason Lewis stays so busy is just to have something to do.

"It's very lonesome in here," Lewis said, motioning at his house, "ever since my wife died."

Lewis' relationship with his wife Dottie is something he described as "the greatest relationship there ever was."

Dottie and W.D. came into contact during World War II when Lewis' sister Wanda convinced Dottie to write letters to the troops in service at the time. Lewis was extremely impressed with Dottie's writing, Dottie being a skilled wordsmith, and the two met up.

Four dates later they were married on January 31, 1944 at Tampa, Florida.

A wife was the only good news coming out of the war for Lewis, besides the war's end; due to a records fire, he just recently received his service medals. Even now he's still waiting on several more.

Lewis, of course, has other interesting stories about World War II, but said the war and his role in it is something he doesn't enjoy talking about.

"War is an awful way to settle differences," Lewis mused. "The countries involved lost their youth; America, Germany, Japan, all lose almost an entire generation."

Lewis added that though America won WWII, it was a fight that could have as easily been lost.

"There was a need, so I was there," Lewis said.

Once the war was over, Lewis had more time to spend with Dottie.

After moving to Brownsboro with her husband, Dottie worked at the church a great deal and became an accomplished writer with several published books.

On July 27, 2005, however, Dottie and Lewis were sitting at home eating breakfast when Lewis got up to go to the kitchen. When he came back Dottie had gone to be with her Lord.

"I miss her a lot," Lewis said, "but I know I will see her again some day."

His wife's death filled him with pain, Lewis said, but he used that pain to help others.

"I'm 87 and I'm not in great health," Lewis also said. "I'm not going to be here forever, and if just one person is inspired by me to help others, then that's something."