Claude "CW" Wayne Bruner

Claude Wayne Bruner, known to all as CW, passed away at Providence Hospice Center in Waco in the arms of his loving wife, Lisa, on August 30, 2022.  

A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at the Fort Parker Fort Restoration Visitors’ Center on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at 2 pm.  Pastor Kyle Tremblay of the First United Methodist Church of Kosse and Burnett Wallace will officiate.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Travis Chamberlain, Ethan Chamberlain, Ray Bruner, Andy Little, Shawn Erskine, Justin Erskine, and members of the “Hole-in-the Wall” gang.  

CW joined the US Navy in 1979 because he wanted to travel the world, only to return to Waco and meet Sheila Deese, his first wife. After a brief time of dating, they were married.   They moved to New Mexico for work, and April Dawn was born on August 20, 1981. Then the next move took place and Tonya Renee was born in Concord, NC on January 18, 1983. 

In February 1991, CW met Lisa Alewine, the love of his life, when she walked into Alpha Omega Security company, and he hired her on the spot.  Two months later they were joined together.  So many people told them they were foolish for rushing their relationship, but they knew they were soul mates.  On October 29, 1992 Cody Allen Bruner was born.  CW and Lisa were then pleasantly surprised when Caycee Jean Bruner entered the world on June 14, 2001.  Thinking that their family was complete, Cylas Randall Ray came into their lives in February 2019.  CW and Lisa were able to officially make him their child on December 1, 2021, after a long wait due to Covid 19.   

CW was a hardworking man, who was always ready to help his father-in-law before his passing.  He was ready to pick up a rifle at a moment’s notice if someone said the hogs were tearing up a place.  His favorite spot was on the back of the Hickman home-place, at the back tank.  He always said that is where he felt the presence of the Lord and felt closer to him there than in any church.  When Cody was younger, CW liked to take Cody and his friends, Ethan and Travis Chamberlain camping. Ethan and Travis often said it was because of CW that they developed a love of guns, hunting and the outdoors.   

After he started getting sick and was unable to go fishing and hunting, CW would watch movies…..countless movies… He would watch and rewatch his favorites such as Lonesome Dove, anything with John Wayne and when Game of Thrones came out, he was addicted.  

CW is preceded in death by his father-in-law, Waylan Alewine and mother-in-law, Jean Alewine.  

He is survived by his mother, Veler Darlene Bruner of Gholson; his wife Lisa of Kosse; his children: April and husband Jack Anthony of Gold Hills, NC, Tonya Bruner Foster of Mt Pleasant, NC, Aaron Johnson of Waco, and Cody Bruner, Caycee Bruner and Cylas Bruner of Kosse.    His grandchildren are: Jackson, Hayden and Willow Anthony, and Alyssa, Ethan and Madi Foster.  He is also survived by his brother and sister -in-law Ray and Mildred Bruner; his brother, Clay Rieken; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mark and Angie Alewine; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Memorials can be made in CW’s name to the Big Hill Cemetery Association, (Mail to Pamela Sodd, 286 LCR 626, Groesbeck, TX. 76642.)