Wanda Zamorano

Wanda Jean Sawyer Zamorano was born on August 11, 1947, to Andrew Louis Sawyer and Billie Louise Byler Sawyer. She grew up in Mertzon, Texas, where she graduated from Mertzon High School in 1965. She went on to earn degrees from Sul Ross State University in 1970, Texas Tech University in 1974, and Nova Southeastern University in 1994.

Wanda dedicated her career to education, teaching in the Balmorhea ISD and Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. She also taught graduate and undergraduate classes at Texas Woman’s University and served for six years on the national faculty of Turner Educational Services Inc./CNN. A respected professional in her field, she was a member of the Texas State Teachers’ Association, National Education Association, American Association of University Women, International Reading Association, and Kappa Delta Phi. Her work was recognized in several editions of Who’s Who, and she shared her reading program across the United States and Europe.

She retired from the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD in May 2004 after 33 years of teaching. In retirement, Wanda devoted herself to volunteering with churches, educational groups, civic organizations, and charities. She completed chaplain training in December 2024 and cherished the time she spent with family and friends.

Wanda married Orbie Gatewood in 1966 in Fort Stockton, Texas, and moved to Irving in 1972. She later married Hector Zamorano in 1973, and together they had a daughter, Anna Maria (Bita) Zamorano. She was also privileged to help raise Carla, Kathy, Roland, and Cristi, and held Kelley and Carmi dear as part of her extended family. She is survived by her sister Annie Lou Harris and husband Jimmy, brother Billy Louis Sawyer and wife Billie Faye, brother Bobo Sawyer and wife Susan, step-brother Buster White and wife Teresa, step-sisters Loretta Ellis and husband Ray, and Jackie Shaw and husband Johnny, along with numerous nieces, nephews, an uncle, and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew Louis Sawyer and Billie Louise Sawyer White, sister Betty Sue Kolb, nephew Alan Ray Harris, and step-father Jr. White.