Waylon Wayne Vanderslice, 75, of Lewisville, Texas, passed away on May 8, 2026.
Waylon was born on January 25, 1951, in Dallas, Texas. He was raised in Garland, Texas, where he attended Garland High School before proudly serving in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
While serving in the Navy, Waylon met the love of his life, Kathy. After a whirlwind six-month romance, the two were married in 1971 and built a loving marriage that lasted 54 years. Following his military service, Waylon returned to Garland to raise his family and begin his longtime career with Merchants Motor Freight. He was known throughout his life as a hardworking man with a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. Waylon loved making people laugh and was simply fun to be around.
One of Waylon's greatest passions was golf. A longtime member of Firewheel Golf Park in Garland, Texas, he spent countless weekends on the course enjoying the game he loved alongside many close friends, who affectionately knew him as "Big Dawg."
Above all else, Waylon deeply loved his family and cherished the life they built together. He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Kathy Vanderslice; his daughter, Shelley Arnett and husband Niel Arnett; his son, Steve Vanderslice and wife Amy Vanderslice; his beloved grandchildren, Jacob and Sarah; and his sister, Jennifer Adams. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Arlene Vanderslice, and his sister, Donna Brown.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Lewisville, Texas. Waylon will be privately interred at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Waylon will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but he also leaves behind the gift of laughter. Those who knew him all seem to have a favorite story, joke, or memory that still makes them smile.
David Alexander
Waylon Wayne Vanderslice, 75, of Lewisville, Texas, passed away on May 8, 2026.
Waylon was born on January 25, 1951, in Dallas, Texas. He was raised in Garland, Texas, where he attended Garland High School before proudly serving in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
While serving in the Navy, Waylon met the love of his life, Kathy. After a whirlwind six-month romance, the two were married in 1971 and built a loving marriage that lasted 54 years. Following his military service, Waylon returned to Garland to raise his family and begin his longtime career with Merchants Motor Freight. He was known throughout his life as a hardworking man with a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. Waylon loved making people laugh and was simply fun to be around.
One of Waylon's greatest passions was golf. A longtime member of Firewheel Golf Park in Garland, Texas, he spent countless weekends on the course enjoying the game he loved alongside many close friends, who affectionately knew him as "Big Dawg."
Above all else, Waylon deeply loved his family and cherished the life they built together. He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Kathy Vanderslice; his daughter, Shelley Arnett and husband Niel Arnett; his son, Steve Vanderslice and wife Amy Vanderslice; his beloved grandchildren, Jacob and Sarah; and his sister, Jennifer Adams. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Arlene Vanderslice, and his sister, Donna Brown.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Lewisville, Texas. Waylon will be privately interred at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Waylon will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but he also leaves behind the gift of laughter. Those who knew him all seem to have a favorite story, joke, or memory that still makes them smile.