Harold David Viaille

Harold David Viaille, 95, of Arlington, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025. He was born to Paul Henry and Mary Maude (Parrack) Viaille on May 9, 1929, in Levelland, Texas. The youngest of seven siblings, he liked to say he was named Harold because his parents had already used up the best names. 

After graduating from Levelland High School, Harold earned his bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University, which led to a career in vocational rehabilitation. He met his future wife, Joy Reding, while working for the State Welfare Department at the Hockley County Courthouse. Harold was asked to consider Joy for a secretarial position, and their connection grew into a deep friendship and courtship. Harold enlisted in the Navy in 1952 where he served as a fire control technician. He proposed to Joy when he came back from boot camp, and they were married just after his service ended on Valentine’s Day 1954, beginning a 65-year journey of love, devotion, and family.

The couple moved to Lubbock shortly thereafter where Harold worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the State Commission for the Blind. During this time he earned his PhD, which he jokingly said stood for Post Hole Digger. Their early years together were filled with relocations, including moves to Oklahoma City, back to Lubbock and Oklahoma City, and then to Dallas, where they spent the next 50 years in the same home. Harold and Joy cherished the moments spent camping, traveling, and creating memories with their children, niece and nephew, and grandchildren. Harold loved the outdoors, and always found a way to make vacations and other time spent together fun and educational.

Harold enjoyed reading, watching football, and working with his hands, building flowerbeds, doing cement, brickwork, and carpentry, fixing cars, and handling plumbing and other tasks. A lifelong learner, he was one of the early users of personal computers and took up multiple hobbies over the years. He was always gentle and patient, caring for his wife as her disability worsened due to post-polio syndrome. His love for his family and the memories he shared with them will always be cherished.

In 2018, Harold and Joy moved to Arlington Plaza, where they lived until Joy's passing in 2019. A strong, independent man, Harold chose to remain in the apartment until 2021, when he moved in with his daughter and son-in-law. Harold’s legacy lives on in the many lives he touched throughout his life. It was his unwavering love for his Lord and his family and his dedication to helping others that defined him. His humble nature and deep compassion for others will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved him.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary Maude Viaille; wife, Joy; brothers, Vincent, C.P. “Skeeter”, Henry, and Delbert; sisters Blanche Viaille and Mary “Dolly” Holman, nephews Jim Reding, Ashley Vallance, Wesley Vallance, and Joe Boggs; and great-grandchild, Emmett Eli Hebison. Harold is survived by his son, Douglas and wife, Mary; daughter, Cheri Cuellar and husband, Pete; sister-in-law Jerrie Reding; nieces and nephews, Terrie Cannon, Cindy Patterson, Kevin Reding, Gary Reding, and David Vallance; grandchildren, Anna, Mila, Jon, Landon, and Charlie; and ten great-grandchildren.