The city of Waco is mourning the loss of a local activist, pastor, and city council member.
Wilbert Austin died Monday night after battling cancer.
Not only was Wilbert Austin a member of Waco City Council, he also spent over 30 years as a pastor at a church in Moody. Many people said Austin felt like a family member.
Bruce Inge is the upkeeper of Peaceful Rest Baptist Church. He was told this morning that his pastor of over 30 years had died and said he was devastated when he found out.
“I’m going to miss him so much,” Inge said. “I really don’t have a clue but there’s really only one person I can turn to and that’s Jesus Christ because he’s already gone to where he was telling me about.”
Billy Blayck said he is forever grateful for Reverend Wilbert Austin. The pastor gave him his first job.
“I left Moody and I came back in 2000 and he gave me my first job at the church,” he said. “I used to clean the cemetery and the church on the inside.”
Around 8:30 p.m. Monday, 76-year-old Wilbert Austin passed away surrounded by his family. He was a member of Waco City council for 11 years – stepping down in May due to his health issues. Waco Mayor Pro Team Jim Holmes said it is a sad day for the city.
“He was my big brother, he helped me so much on council as far as how to handle issues and how to handle the process and to slow things down and thing through the issues,” Holmes said. “Such a great man.”
After a battle with cancer, members of his congregation only hop that Austin can have a peaceful rest – just like the namesake of the church he pastored.
“He worked so hard to keep this church going, and we’re going to be so lost without him,” Church Clerk Deloras Inges said.
Last week, Waco City Council picked Waco resident Noah Jackson to replace Austin. He will officially be sworn in at Tuesday night’s meeting.