Graveside services for William Edward “Dub” Allen of Caldwell, Texas, will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Caldwell Masonic Cemetery.
Mr. Allen passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at the age of 90.
Born on October 16, 1930, Dub was the third of seven children born to parents Elmer Clyde and Elsie Mary Reissner Allen in Gonzales, Texas. The Depression Era presented many challenges and hardships for the Allen family and they relocated several times before settling in Dime Box, Texas. Dub attended Dime Box schools.
He began his 42 year career with the maintenance division of the Southern Pacific Railroad/San Antonio Division on April 13, 1949, at the age of 18. Two years later on April 28, 1951, he and Vernice Brinkman were married in Brenham, Texas. During his employment he operated many different equipment machines, including bull dozers, cranes, tampers, semi-trucks, and others. When asked what his job was, he said, “I just went where the boss told me to go and did what he told me to do.”
Dub and Vernice lived in almost every section of railroad development and maintenance across Texas and Louisiana. The first home they shared was a wooden railway car on the railroad tracks which was moved from one work assignment location to the next. Eventually they graduated to housing in a “steel coach” which provided more living space and improved housing amenities. He told many stories about the times and places they lived including the flood prone canyons of Texas, sandstorms of West Texas, the stifling heat of South Texas, the bayous of Louisiana and many other areas. They developed lifelong friendships with other SP employees and families who shared the same “work assignment gangs” and living areas referred to as the “camp”.
During his tenure with the SP Railroad, he was also a member and leader of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE). He held positions of Local Chairman, District Chairman, Assistant General Chairman, and General Chairman. He advocated for “his people” on the railroad and worked to ensure employees received their due compensation, better salaries and health benefits, retirement benefits, fair and impartial hearings with supervisors and railroad officials, adequate representation for injuries and lost wages, or any other concern for “his people.” His office location was in Houston, Texas, but his work with BMWE often entailed travels across the country to negotiate with other railroad and union officials, and legislative representatives in Washington. Upon his retirement, he held the highest seniority position on the SP Railroad.
After retiring, he preferred a much less demanding lifestyle. While his health remained good, he enjoyed mowing his lawn and volunteering with lawn maintenance at the Elizabeth Lutheran Church. He enjoyed country and western music, was a great dancer, and he and Vernice attended dances in the area for many years. He remained interested and stayed current on college and professional sports teams (he loved his Longhorns), the pro rodeos, was an excellent “42” player, and especially enjoyed watching western television series and movies.
The changes he witnessed and experienced during his lifetime are truly amazing. He was born and raised with limited means, but he possessed determination and a huge desire to provide for his family. He did that well. We will remember his words, “We may not have much, but I will always keep a roof over your head, food on our table, and clothes on your back – and you can come home anytime.”
Mr. Allen is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Vernice Brinkman Allen; three daughters and their spouses: Debbie and Fred Duewall of Plano, Pat and Mike Foreman of Caldwell, and Judy and Bobby Kurten of Kurten. He is also survived by four grandsons, Craig Alan Duewall and his wife, Nicky, of Austin; Chad Collin Duewall and his wife, Jennifer, of Plano, Brian Allen Wallace and his wife, Stephanie, of New Braunfels, and John Kevin Wallace of New Braunfels; and granddaughter, Jennifer Kurten Mundine and husband, Philip, of Kurten. He was also a proud greatgrandfather to Anna Katherine, Elizabeth Grace, and Emelia Wren Duewall of Austin, Addie and Cole Allen Duewall of Plano, and Jensyn Mundine of Kurten, and he was awaiting the birth of great-granddaughter Estella Vernice Wallace expected in March. Other survivors include his brother, Sam Allen and wife, Bo, of Rio Frio; brother-in-law, Ray Brinkman and his wife, Sue; sister-in-law, Lillie Brinkman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Clyde and Elsie Mary Reissner Allen; two brothers, E. C. “Slim” Allen Jr. and Tommy Allen; and three sisters, Ida Bell Bridges, Betty Jo Allen, and Elsie Helen Pruitt.
Pallbearers will be Craig Duewall, Chad Duewall, Kevin Wallace, Brian Wallace, Philip Mundine, and Randy Brinkman.
The family requests memorials in his memory may be made to:
* Elizabeth Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 675, Caldwell, Texas 77836
* Caldwell Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 172, Caldwell, Texas 77836
* St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, 1212 PR 4531, Dime Box, Texas 77853
* Burleson County Saddle Club, P.O. Box 77, Caldwell, Texas 77836