Willie Faye Huseman

Willie Faye Hicks Huseman passed away at the age of 90 in Amarillo on January 15, 2019.

Willie Faye was born October 11, 1928 to George and Bennie Faye Hicks in Cold Springs, Oklahoma. She graduated from Clovis High School in New Mexico.  Willie Faye was living on a farm near Tulia, Texas at the time she providentially met her future husband at a John Paul Jones dance where she said it was love at first sight.

In 1947, Willie Faye married Robert Wendelin Huseman at Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth. Both of them were very active in the parish and community, she herself belonging to the Catholic Daughters of America, Christian Mothers Society, and the Franciscan Secular Order.

Secular activities included participation in the American Legion Auxiliary and many school associations. In addition, Willie Faye enjoyed square dancing and Father Stanley Crocciola’s art class in Nazareth, which enhanced her significant artistic gifts. She also enjoyed gardening, fishing, cooking, playing cards, sewing, crochet, and having fun.

Of special note was her passionate devotion to pro-life activity, at one point being arrested and convicted for trespassing while praying peacefully outside a clinic. She was very proud of that event.

The Husemans farmed and ranched until Robert died suddenly of Lou Gehrig’s disease in 1980.

In 1991, Willie Faye moved to Amarillo where she was a dedicated member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Her many church-affiliated activities included the Rosary Group, daily Mass, and the Altar Society. Willie Faye was completely devoted to her large family and many friends.

Willie Faye was a much-loved woman of exceptional character.  She lived generosity to the extreme, and her life of service seemed unlimited.  She passed to her close-knit family the values of hard work, perseverance, deep faith, and selflessness.

An excerpt from a special note to her loved ones:

“Letter to my Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren - since I am getting up in years, I thought I had better let you all know my secrets of life.  All of you know that God wrote the 10 commandments, not suggestions -  (here she listed all 10 Commandments) - only God could come up with such a perfect way to live!  If you go by these commandments, you will be a very happy and successful person.  I have always tried to live by the commands.  God has always been so good to me.  He gave me such a wonderful family.  I pray for all of you.  May God bless you all.”

On another page, where she is explaining that joining the Catholic Church was one of the most important things that happened to her in her lifetime, she said, "I am praying that all my children and grandchildren will meet me in Heaven.  May God bless you all!  Also their spouses.

Where and when have you been the happiest?  I am happiest when I can get to Mass and receive Jesus.  I am so glad I am a Catholic.  God has been so good to me and my family.  I want to have my family with me always, and I hope to see you all in heaven.”

She is preceded in death by her parents, her step-mother Pearl Hicks; her husband Robert, her sister LaRose Szaloy, her brother George Wayne (a newborn), a daughter, Mary Frances (a newborn), a son, Raymond, and several children lost to miscarriage.

Willie Faye is survived by eight children:  Linda Gressett and husband John, Terry Huseman and wife Randi, Julie Neusch and husband Mark, Robert (Bob) Huseman, Jr.,  Anna Huseman Lee; Chrissy Acker and husband Alan,  Billy Huseman, and Sister Mary Michael Huseman,  30 grandchildren and over 30 great-grandchildren all of Amarillo. She was very close to all of the Sisters (her spiritual daughters) at Sancta Maria Convent in Panhandle.

The Vigil Rosary will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 4122 S. Bonham, on Thursday, January 17, at 6:30 PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Church at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 18, with Monsignor Harold Waldow as the main celebrant.

Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery in Nazareth at approximately 12:30 PM following the funeral Mass.

Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home at 4100 S. Georgia St., Amarillo, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Amarillo Agency for Women, PO Box 31012, Amarillo, TX, 79120.