Paul and Barrie Wissing are one of those couples with whom everyone wishes they were friends. “Kind,
friendly, and always happy to be around,” is the way that Wedgewood Park neighbor, Jeanette Callahan,
describes the pair. “They are the couple we all strive to be like,” agrees friend and neighbor, Glory
Hoeflich. “There’s always a smile on their faces, and never a bad word to say about anyone!”
Years ago, Barrie was a regular at Dallas Night Club, a country western dance hall in Austin. One night,
she spotted Paul. “I commented to my friend that I thought he was cute. She said, ‘He probably knows
it!’ The next night, he came back and asked me to save him a two-step slow dance. I really didn’t slow
dance, but I said ok! We met up at Windy Point on Lake Travis, the big hang out spot, the next day. Our
first date was a dollar movie; we were University of Texas college kids, living on limited funds! I met his
family here in Houston at Thanksgiving and loved them. When he introduced me as his girlfriend, I think
my mouth dropped! We dated two years before getting married in Las Vegas, and just celebrated our
27 th anniversary on June 15 th ,” shares Barrie. Friends are quick to comment on the couple’s strong
relationship. “I love the way they talk about each other. There's a smile in their eyes when either of
them talks about the other one,” observes Hoeflich.
Paul works for Dell EMC. An avid sportsman, Paul meets a group of friends to play racquetball at the
health club every day and doesn’t miss a workout. He likes to design and build things, even building an
outdoor kitchen with his brother, Joe. He takes pride in an outdoor sectional seating area and fire pit
which he conceived and constructed.
Barrie started selling Initial Outfitters products because not only did she genuinely like their products,
but because it was hard to find monogrammed items for gifts. “I do home parties featuring monogram
jewelry, gifts, and home goods; I love being social and meeting new people!” she explains.
Together with the household “must do” list, volunteer activities fill Barrie’s schedule. She enjoys helping
to organize Blackhorse Ranch events for the neighborhood. Whenever there is a new baby born in “The
Ranch,” Barrie is in charge of delivering the distinctive new “Filly” and “Mare” announcement yard signs.
She can always be counted on to help out at Warner Elementary and Cypress Ranch High School, where
her two youngest attend, and works alongside her daughter in National Charity League (NCL) volunteer
functions.
The Wissing family includes three children: Thomas, 26, Madison, (Maddie), 16, and Chance, 9. For 10
years, Thomas was an only child. “When I found out I was having a girl, I was worried as I had a boy for
10 years who could snow ski any mountain with us, played baseball, football, and ice hockey; all I knew
was boy mom stuff,” Barrie explains animatedly. “In my 6th month of pregnancy with Maddie, I bought
my first pink thing and I haven’t stopped yet! We love to go out and go shopping together! One of my
favorite times of day is just before she has gone to bed, and I just hang out with her to chat about her
day. I always wanted a third baby, so after Chance, I knew I was finished. He keeps us young and
laughing! Maddie is really smart and understands when to jump in and help her little brother when he
needs it.”
Thomas attended Lonestar College, and works for Whitlock, currently at BP. As the big brother, Thomas
worries about his siblings and tries to keep them in line.
Maddie, is a sophomore at Cypress Ranch High School. As a freshman, she was a member of the Color
Guard and will be a Cy Ranch junior varsity cheerleader this year. She considers herself a “hard worker,”
likes science, and enjoys being involved in school activities. Her free time is spent just “hanging with
friends and going shopping!” Maddie volunteers with NCL and is a babysitter and pet sitter for
neighbors.
Chance is a 4th grader at Warner Elementary School. “I love the active games we play to learn. My
favorite subject is history! Right now, I love to play my Nintendo Switch!” shares Chance. A fledgling
golfer, Chance is taking lessons currently. He enjoys playing football with the boys and being part of a
team.
The family dynamics wouldn’t be complete without mentioning two canines: The Duke of Wedgewood,
a magnificent Great Dane, who just turned 9, and Cali, a one-year-old teacup Yorkshire Terrier.
It is a given that any time one receives a Wissing party invite, there is guaranteed to be plenty of food
and drink, friends and their families, storytelling, laughter, and likely, splashing about. “We love to host
pool parties and entertain friends and neighbors in our backyard with a big screen outdoor surround
sound movie, or a Super Bowl, World Series, or high school championship game! Any time is a good time
to host a party,” smiles Paul.
The Wissing family attends Community of Faith Church. They have lived in Cypress for 11 years.
