Cecil Phillip Wallstein

CECIL PHILLIP WALLSTEIN, 78, a resident of Houston for over 50 years, passed away November 5, 2018.  He was born August 20, 1940 in Galveston, Texas to Charlotte Aileen and Phillip Clifford Wallstein.  He attended local schools in Galveston and graduated from Ball High School.  He served in the United States Navy and was part of the blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  He was a Signalman aboard the USS Turner Joy and told many stories of his time in the Navy.  He married Candi Sumner Underwood, a Ball High cheerleader and after their first child was born, they relocated to the big city of Houston where they would welcome two more daughters.  He was employed by Goodyear Chemical for 30 years where he loved to attend company picnics and credit union gatherings.  When he joined Goodyear in the early 1960s, his friends lovingly gave him the name “Broom” for his tall thin build and blowing hair in front of the large cooling fans!  The name stuck, and he forged lifetime friendships.  The Goodyear Company picnic became an annual tradition for his family, and he loved showing off his grandchildren.  An accomplished guitarist, Cecil would entertain friends for hours with his easy covers of Johnny Cash, The Box Tops, Elvis and any Bible hymn.  He loved entertaining and was deeply talented.  Each year he would call his children and grandchildren on their special day and play “Happy Birthday” on guitar accompanied by his smooth vocals.  Christmas and other family gatherings were full of song and love.  He loved his family and frequently returned to Galveston.  In recent years, Cecil struggled with a seizure disorder developed after a traumatic brain injury in 2008.  This injury, coupled with repeated seizures, ultimately resulted in his death.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers John Alvis and Franklin Adam.  He is survived by his three daughters, Shawna Wallstein of Spring, Texas, Darria Wallstein of Buda, Texas, Cancee Lester and husband Dean of Center, Texas.  He also leaves behind his precious grandchildren, Paislea Stolarski (and husband, Kyle), Cassity, Stratton, Aris, Brynn, Dean, Trace, Trevor and great grandchildren Lily, Everett and Ivy.  Cecil is also survived by two brothers, Clifford Wallstein and wife Gaye and their sweet son, Clay of Lindale Texas and Kenneth Wallstein and wife Carol of Oklahoma and their children, Molly and Derrick.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their precious families.

Special thanks to the talented and tireless physicians affiliated with The Methodist Hospital Willowbrook who managed Cecil’s health in recent years – Dr. Muhammad Hanif, Dr. Hosan Hwang, Dr. Amy Naquin-Chappel, Dr. Kasey Gildersleeve and especially Dr. Elbert Coker who provided compassionate guidance to Cecil’s care team.  Special thanks also to Ms. Tammy Perry of Willowbrook Residence and Rehab for her care and love.

A graveside service is planned for family and friends followed by a celebration of Cecil’s life beginning at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, November 13, at Lakeview Cemetery in Galveston.

Memorials may be donated to the charity of your choice.  Suggestions that would honor Cecil are the National Institute of Health/Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or any charity that offers scholarships to those pursuing the beauty of music.

“Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you?

When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too.” (John 14:1-8)