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Earl Blackburn
Earl Blackburn, 80, died Saturday, August 15, 2009 at his home. Graveside services
will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home. Earl Blackburn was born on November 25, 1928 in Elmore City, Oklahoma to Carl and Addie Bell (Howard) Blackburn. He attended school in Elmore City. His family moved to Tipton, Oklahoma, then to Altus. He joined the Marines and was in the last 3 years of WWII. He served the last year posted at the base on Guam. Following Mr. Blackburn’s military discharge he moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he attended the Barber College. Earl and his family moved to Guymon, Oklahoma where he was offered a barbering position. In 1956 Earl and his family then came back to Altus where he started barbering at the Plaza Barber Shop, downtown on the square. He bought the shop and continued there for 46 years. He finally retired in 2002 at the age of 74. He said it was probably the hardest decision he ever made. He was an avid hunter and fisherman for most of his life. The most important thing in Earl’s life was his family. Above everything else, his family came first. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Cleda Romines and Gerry Romines. He is survived by daughter, Donna Gagnon and husband Glenn; son, Terry Blackburn and wife Lisa; son, Ricky Blackburn; three grandchildren, Summer, Abraham and Matthew and one sister, Glenda Bower.
Luther Fredrick (Fred) Bledsoe
Luther Fredrick (Fred) Bledsoe, 72, went home to be with the Lord October 13, 2008 in Altus, OK. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, October 16, 2008, at the Landmark Baptist Church in Blair, OK with Rev. S.K. Robinson officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Burkburnett, Texas with full Military Honors under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home.
Luther Fredrick Bledsoe was born July 20, 1936, in Blanchard, OK to Oscar Homer and Anne Rea (Eades) Bledsoe. He joined the United States Air Force on January 3, 1954. His medals and commendations included the AFLSA with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; the AFGCM with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Vietnam Cross w/Palm and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant on November 30, 1974. He had attained an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Personnel Management from Cook County College in May of 1973. He married Elisabeth (Lisa) Hoffmann on April 15, 1956 in Ludwigshafen, Germany. She preceded him in death on November 27, 1977. He married Mary F. Swafford – Hand on July 1, l978 in Talladega, AL. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and working on guns.
Luther is preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Jessie; Bill; Cleatis; Don; J.D. Merion and one sister, Opal.
He is survived and dearly missed by his wife, Mary, of the home; his two daughters, Lisa Dulworth and husband Bud from Randlett, OK.; Debbie Thomason and husband Rich from Elgin, OK.; four sons, Vince Bledsoe and wife Timi of Altus; Mike Bledsoe and wife Kimberly of Devol, OK.; Mark Bledsoe of Arlington, TX.; and Rick Hand and wife Lynn of Altus; two sisters, Gene Sabine of Garland, TX and Birthena Lawson and husband Larry of Sacramento, Calif.; fifteen grandchildren; Jason Adams, Jared Adams, Nona Laminack, Jerry Gardner, Eddie Gardner, Denia Fotenopulos, Ashley Bledsoe, Abby Bledsoe, John Bledsoe, Elisabeth Bledsoe, Anna Bledsoe, Trevor Bledsoe, Tate Bledsoe, Tanner Bledsoe, and Tyler Johnson, two great grandchildren; Jace Adams and Madison Gardner and many friends.
The Bledsoe Family will greet friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Kincannon Funeral Home in Altus, OK.
Memorials may be made to: Landmark Baptist Church PO Box 832 Blair, OK 73526
Myrtle Virginia Boyer
Myrtle Virginia Boyer, 97 passed away Sunday, October 12 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Services will be held 2:00 pm, Thursday, October 16, 2008 at the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Charles Stewart officiating. Interment to follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home.
Myrtle Virginia Gable was born March 30, 1911 to G.W. and Helan (Herod) Gable at Berwin, Oklahoma. She married David Lee Boyer October 10, 1931 at Berwin, Oklahoma. He preceded her in death on May 4, 1985. She began her teaching career in Leedy, Oklahoma; followed by Snyder, OK; Balko, OK; Seiling, OK; Duke, OK and finally in 1985 ending her thirty six year career teaching at the Sunset Elementary School in Altus, OK. She was a member of the Business and Professional Womens Organization, as well as holding all offices, including President in 1970. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, Red Hat Ladies, and was named the Kiwanis Club’s Mother of the Year in 1996. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Altus.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband; a sister, Etta Kerr and twelve other brothers and sisters.
She is survived by one son, David Henry Boyer and wife Eleanora of Bedford, Texas; two grandchildren, Gena Gayle Foster and husband Gary of North Richland Hills, Texas; Gayla Jean Snell and husband Brian of Lewisville, TX; three great-grandchildren; Misty Dawn Venters and husband Scott of Brooklyn, NY; Gregory Drew Foster and Mandy Nicole Foster both of N. Richland Hills, TX.
The Boyer Family has requested memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 317 N. Main, Altus, Ok. 73521. Online memorials may be sent to www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.
Richard L. "Rick" Brewer
Richard L. “Rick” Brewer, 63, former Eldorado resident, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at his home. Memorial service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with Dan Hensley officiating. Inurnment will be in the Eldorado Cemetery at a later date under the direction of the Kincannon Funeral Home. Rick was born on November 22, 1946 in Quanah, Texas. He was raised in Eldorado, Oklahoma, the son of Billy and Laverne Brewer. He grew up working on the family farm & business. After high school, he married Etta Kathleen (Kathy) and served his country as a Marine. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned several medals including the Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation. Rick loved to strategize whether he was playing poker, Skip-bo, or other games. He also liked to “tinker” with things. He was always trying to fix something or make it work better…all it needed was just a little tweak. Coin collecting was another passion. He wanted your change even if it was only a few pennies. Mr. Brewer is survived by his three children, Colby Kincaid, William Garrick, and Tami Naoma; three grandchildren: Shayla, Tanner, and Briana; and two sisters, Paula and Debbie.
Terry Ann Brogdon
Terry Ann Brogdon, 63, Altus, died Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at her home. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at Kincannon Funeral Home.
She was born on February 19, 1945 in Fort Worth, Texas to Leo and Jerry (Oglesby) Bolster. She graduated from Roswell High School in Roswell, New Mexico and continued her education at Colorado Women’s College in Denver, Colorado.
She married James E. Brogdon on December 31, 1970 at McCord Air Force Base in Washington. She was a homemaker who enjoyed taking care of her family.
Terry was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Altus and the Phi Beta Kappa Sorority. She enjoyed cooking, reading, camping, cats and traveling.
She was preceded in death by her father, Leo Bolster.
She is survived by her husband Jim of Altus, OK; her mother Jerry Miller; her mother-in-law Geniveve Brogdon; three daughters, Lisa Dawn Anglin, Franklin, TN; Monica Lynn Jean and husband Brian of Los Alamos, NM; Nikki Ann Brogdon of Altus; three sons, Scott Comb Atlanta, Ga; David Brogdon and wife Crystal of Paragould, AR; Matt Brogdon and wife Maria of San Diego, CA; a brother and a sister, Ross and Betsy Bolster, both of Sacramento, CA; eleven grandchildren, Ann Marie, Sydney, Baily, Will, Jacob, Patrick, Olivia, Benjamin, Mina, Jagger Dillon, Taine and many friends.
Ethel Bessie Brooks
Ethel Bessie Brooks, 96, Blair, passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with Brother Carl Page, Jeremy Brooks and Jeff Owen officiating. Burial will be in the Blair Cemetery under the direction of the Kincannon Funeral Home. Ethel was born on August 15, 1913 in Kerens, Texas to Oscar and Rosie (Davis) Fade. She married Pollard Brooks on January 18, 1931 in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. He passed away on January 10, 1992. She was a member of the Blair House of Prayer. She loved quilting, crocheting, Skip-Bo, cooking and gardening. Her parents, husband, infant son, Will Dean Brooks, a granddaughter, Yvonne Hart, a great-granddaughter, Holly Powell, three sisters, Mattie, Mildred and Gwendolyn, and three brothers, Earnest, Afton and Ed, preceded her in death. Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Lavern Perry and Willie of Warren, Oklahoma, Melva Winters and Charles of Blair, Oklahoma, and Imogene Cargal and Ricky of Blair, Oklahoma; four sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry Brooks and Darla of Blair, Oklahoma, J.C. Brooks and Karen of Blair, Oklahoma, Freddie Brooks and Susan of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Michael Brooks and Rhonda of Choctaw, Oklahoma; a sister-in-law, Ramona Fagan and her husband, Gayle, of Abilene, Texas; twenty–one grandchildren, Frank Osborne and wife Janie of Sapulpa, OK, Steve Osborne and wife Brenda of Blair, OK, Gloria Powell and husband Clay of Blair, OK, Sharon Wallace of Altus, OK, Jud Cargal and wife Dawn of Blair, OK, Karri Orick and husband Steve of Blair, OK, Yvonne Proveaux and husband Mike of Blair, OK, J.P. Brooks and wife Terra of Blair, OK, Charlotte Owen and husband Jack of Blair, OK, Darlene Davis and husband Gary of Blair, OK, Myrna Cross and husband Jay of Blair, OK, Greg Winters and wife Amy of Blair, OK, Luis Perez of Phoenix, AZ, Lola Wiley and husband Steve of Blair, OK, Andrea Decker and husband Keith of Blair, OK, Brandie O’Conner of Blair, OK, Sommer Knight and husband Jeff of Blair, OK, Danika Brooks of Blair, OK, Jeremy Brooks and wife Jennifer of Ocotlan, Jalisco, Mexico, Monta Brooks and wife Candice of Ft. Worth, TX, Landon Brooks of Choctaw, OK; thirty-seven great-grandchildren, Cass, Lacey, Ethan, Heath, Kinsey, Cody, Wade, Jason, Kelby, Hunter, McKenna, Garrett, Trent, Bailey, Brandt, Blakleigh, Saige, Brooklyn, Jacob, Chance, Mallory, Gracie, Carson, Abby, Marla, Jeff, Jerrus, Amanda, Talan, Ashton, Tanner, Brooks, Andrew, Dillan, Callie, Dallon, Dillon; fifteen great-great-grandchildren, Taylor, Kassidy, Madison, Dakota, Dawson, Mason, Gracie, Kailyn, Kimber, Riley, Earon, Kateland, MckHelen, McCana, Caleb and a host of relatives and friends.
Queen Esther Brown
Funeral services for Queen Esther Brown, 73, Altus, will be 2:00 PM Saturday, November 14, 2009 in the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with Elder Richard Atkinson and Rev. Jason Duree, officiating. Our beloved Mother, Queen Esther Brown, succumbed to Glory, to be with Our Heavenly Father, on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at home in Altus, Oklahoma, as she was surrounded by her loving family. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Friday at the funeral home. Queen Esther Brown was born in Palestine, Texas on July 13, 1936 to Albert Walker and Odessa Beatrice Mims. She was the third child of seven. Queen went to school in Yard, Texas and graduated from Massey Lake High School. She later married Johnny Fleming Brown in November of 1960. Because of her love for children and people, Queen worked as a Teacher’s Aide in a day care center and she was also a Home Care Provider for many years. She attended the old St. John’s Baptist Church, where she had her older children baptized. Later her younger children attended Southside Baptist Church. She was a strong determined woman who didn’t let life get her down. Queen raised her ten children who all graduated from high school and she saw several attend and graduate from college. She was always encouraging her children and she believed and taught them to be polite as well as to have manners for anyone they encountered. She has always been a quiet and reserved Woman of God but a couple of special friends she holds dear to her heart will always be the Heard family, especially Margaret Heard West, and the late Velma J. Atkinson. They had been friends for as long as she has lived in Altus. Her father, Albert Walker, and sister, Frankie Lorene Givens Johnson, preceded her in death. Queen leaves behind to cherish all her loving memories, her mother, Odessa Beatrice Johnson; five daughters, Doris Faye Walker, Barbara Ann Willis, Linda Kaye Brown, Beatrice Sands and her husband, Keith, and Cathy Anne Wade and her husband, Greg; five sons, Rocky Brown and his wife, Brenda, Tony Lynn Brown, Steve Delon Brown, Kevin Roy Brown, and Randy Jermaine Brown and his wife, Jessica; three sisters, Anna Faye Louis, Gider Jean Brown and her husband, Leon, and Betty Jean Dawkins; two brothers, James Phillips and Odell Spriggins; 29 grandchildren, 15 great great grandchildren, and a host of loving family members.
Laura Mozelle Bryce
Laura Mozelle Bryce left this temporal earth the same way she came, with grit and grace. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. David Player officiating. Kincannon Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. Laura Mozelle Lowe was born February 7, 1918, in Wirt, Oklahoma, to Thurman A. and Eula M. (Guy) Lowe. She and her family moved to Altus in 1935 where she met and soon married Owen Preston Bryce, the love of her life. He passed away in November of 1983. She was Vice-President of the 1936 Altus High School graduating class. She was the charter president of the Delta Eta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She was the Southwest District President of the PTA and served as a delegate to the state PTA Convention. Mrs. Bryce was a member of the Beta Mothers Club and the Altus Literary Club. She was on the board of the Southern Prairie Library System for eight years, served as the treasurer for three years, and was on the board when the new building was built. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1937, and was active in the United Methodist Women – Circle 4, was president of United Methodist Women - Circle 3 four years, and taught a Sunday School class. She was also the secretary and treasurer of the Excelsior Sunday School Class. She volunteered her time at the Museum of the Western Prairie and was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leader. She was a member of the Altus Porcelain Artists and was the state president of the Porcelain Artists of Oklahoma from March 1997 until August 1998. Her husband, Owen Bryce; a son, Paul Bryce; and two brothers, R.L. and Jesse Kinnaird, preceded her in death. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Linda Kay Wiginton and Larry; daughter-in-law, Carol Bryce; five grandchildren, Bobby Bryce and his wife, Yolanda; Betty Lou Stover and her husband, Chas; Owen Preston Bryce II and his wife, Amanda; Chad Wiginton and his wife, Ericka; and Dallas Owen Wiginton; and seven great grandchildren, Andrew Robert Bryce, Dylan Robert Bryce, Brandon Kirby Bryce, Oakley Presley Bryce, Laura Beth Stover, Charles Bryce Stover and Kade Edsel Dean Wiginton. The family will receive family and friends for a visitation Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Hospice or the Western Oklahoma State College.
Katherine Geneva Busby
Katherine Geneva Busby, 87, of Altus, died Wednesday, September 3, 2009 at Plantation Village Nursing Home. Graveside service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, September 5, 2009 at the Altus City Cemetery with Chaplain Jessie Forrest, officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home. Katherine was born to Grover Cleveland and Nora Lillian (McNutt) Pierce on October 8, 1921 in Graham, Texas. She married William Thomas Busby, Jr. in San Francisco, CA in 1947 and to this union they had one daughter, Marilyn. She worked as a cook outside the home as well as being a homemaker. Katherine was a very generous giver, a marvelous cook, enjoyed spending time doing counted cross-stitch, all types of craftwork, and bird watching. Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister, Ruby Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Kay Boudreaux, of Altus; two grandsons, Michael Todd Boudreaux, of Oklahoma City, and Mark Edward Boudreaux, of Salem, Oregon; three great-grandchildren, Jon Luc Boudreaux, Lauren Gabrielle Boudreaux, and Ariel Nicole Boudreaux; one sister, Dorothy Woolery of Hemet, CA; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Southwest Oklahoma, 102 W. Broadway Street, Altus, OK 73521.
Sally Jane Dantzler
Sally Jane Dantzler, 69, Altus, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2006. She was born on November 6, 1936 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sally was a lifetime resident of Altus. She attended Altus public schools graduating from Altus High School in 1954. She went to the University of Colorado and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1957. She taught 2nd grade at Roosevelt elementary before she left education to join her husband in business and to start their family.
On April 7, 1958 Sally married Bob Dantzler whom she met while he was stationed at Altus Air Force Base as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Sally and Bob joined together to own and operate the family business B. W. Dantzler Cotton Sales in 1961. They worked together until 2005.
They have two daughters Nancy Anne and Alice Jane Dantzler both of Altus. While Sally was in college she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She just received her 50-year membership of the sorority. She was member of the Altus Beta Mother’s Club and a longtime member of the ladies Elks and Country Club Golf Association where she enjoyed many hours playing golf with her friends. Sally was a life member of the First Presbyterian Church of Altus where she was very active. For over 25 years she was a Sunday school teacher and put on numerous Christmas programs. As a teenager Sally was asked to be on the Pastoral Search committee. She was a choir member at the church until her illness forced her to quit. She was a member of several other committees at the church always willing to help out whenever needed.
Being a mother was very important to Sally and she was active in her girls’ activities by being a Brownie, Girl Scout and a Kay sponsor. She also helped in making costumes and finding props for several of the high school’s All School Productions.
Throughout her adult life she was active in the high school alumni association. She was instrumental in getting her class together each summer for the reunion. She kept in touch with her classmates throughout the years.
Sally, a devoted wife and mother, was preceded in death by her mother and father Robert and Evelyn Davis of Altus and her father and mother-in-law Jack and Eula May Dantzler of Hickory, North Carolina and a brother-in-law Halton Smith Pulliam of Asheboro, North Carolina. Her husband Bob of the home and daughters Nancy and Alice survive her. She is also survived by her two granddaughters Maryanne and Abigail; her sister Merrill Ann Parker; her sister-in-law Mary Lou Pulliam of Asheboro, North Carolina; her aunt Georgia Lampton of Norman, Oklahoma; her nieces and nephews Robbe’ and Danny LaMunyon, Sally and Goebel George, Elizabeth and Danny McCuistion and Barbara Parker all of Altus; Merrill and Randy Smith and Margaret Disney of Richardson, Texas; Halton Smith Pulliam, Jr. and Kelly and Dawn Pulliam of Asheboro, North Carolina. Special friends were Nancy and John Carlson of Montgomery, Texas and Mary Briggs of Altus. Many, many other family and friends will remember Sally. In her 50th class reunion book, Sally said that the best thing she did was to enjoy life.
Funeral services for Sally Dantzler will be 10 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2006 at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Maurice Hibbard officiating. Burial will follow services at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home. The Dantzler Family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Kincannon Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or www.caringbridge.org. Please make tributes @ www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.
Cleatus Darwin Davenport
Cleatus Darwin Davenport, 83, Altus, passed away Wednesday morning, January 10, 2007 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, January 13, 2006 at Kincannon Funeral Home with Jason Duree officiating. Burial will follow services at the Victory Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home.
Darwin Davenport was born May 20, 1923 to Cleatus A. and Decima (Walker) Davenport. He graduated from Victory High School in 1942. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. After he left the military he farmed, was an auto mechanic and owned the Phillips 66 on North Main for about 15 years. He worked for Ace Hardware for 10 years before retiring in 1997. After retiring he enjoyed gardening and woodworking. Darwin married Virginia McAlpine in Mangum, Oklahoma on May 20, 1947. To this union eight children were born. He loved his family very much and will always be deeply missed.
Darwin is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one daughter, Virginia Diane, two sons, John and Frank Edward and one sister, Jo Iva Strother. He is survived by three daughters; Jenny Kemp and her husband John, of Lawton, OK, Mary Valdez and her husband Carlos of Altus, and Charlotte Sutton and husband John of Arlington, TX; two sons, Don Davenport and wife Nedra of Altus, David Davenport and his wife Karen of Los Alamos, N.M. as well as one daughter in law; Lona Davenport of Hawley, TX.; 10 grandchildren, Scott Davenport and his wife Joy of Seattle, WA, Michele Kemp of Lawton, OK, Michael Kemp of Atoka, OK, Jessica Kemp, Stefan Valdez and wife Stacey, Tobias Valdez and wife Brenda all of Altus, OK, John D. Sutton of Fort Sam Houston, TX, Timothy, Sarah, and Susannah Davenport all of Los Alamos, NM; Nine great grandchildren, Drayton Sutherland, Kanzy, Madeline, Makenna and Mason Valdez, Madison, Abigail and Corinne Davenport, and Tatiana Kemp Thompson.
The Davenport family will greet friends and family Friday, January 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kincannon Funeral Home.
Jean Davison
Jean Davison. 68, Altus, OK died Thursday, October 02, 2008 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are being made by Kincannon Funeral Home.
Jean was born to Fred and Mary (Brattain) Ping April 14, 1940 in Indianapolis, IN. She graduated from Lebanon High School in Lebanon, IN and attended Oklahoma University. She married Robert Davison August 17, 1963. She was an avid Cubs and OU fan, active in the Republican Party, and of the Lutheran faith.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; and two sisters, June Warmoth of Thorntown, IN, Jane Carter of Walton, IN.
She is survived by one daughter, Jennifer Graf and her husband John of Logansport, IN; two sons, John Woods of Altus, OK, Rob Davison and wife Teri of Leander, TX; one sister Joan Diehlman of Florida; two brothers Jim Ping of Lebanon, IN and Bill Ping of Lafayette, IN; five grandchildren, Christina Woods-Solis and husband Greg, Corey Woods all of Altus, OK, Riley Davison, Connor Davison, and Kendall Davison all of Leander, TX; and five great-grandchildren.
William J. DeForest
William J. DeForest, Jr., 78, Altus, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2006 at his home. Graveside Memorial Services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Friday April 21, 2006 at the Restlawn Cemetery with Father Joe Arledge officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kincannon Funeral Home.
William J. DeForest, Jr. was born August 30, 1927 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to William J. Sr. and Eleanor M. (Weaver) DeForest. He married Shirley J. Thielker on May 27, 1951 in Sylvan Lake, NY. To this union, three daughters were born. William joined the United States Air Force, where he served his country proudly for more than twenty years before retiring at the rank of MSGT in 1966. After his military career, he began work as a union mechanic on heavy construction equipment. William loved working with his hands, especially designing, building and refinishing furniture. He enjoyed working in his garden and hunting. He was a member of the N.R.A., the T.R.E.A. and N.A.U.S. He was a lifetime member of the Catholic faith and served for many years as head usher of his church in New York.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Carol M. Schmidt; sisters, Eleanor Ferland and Julia Kinkle and a brother, James Curtis DeForest. He is survived by his wife, Shirley of the home; two daughters, Rose E. Bell and husband David E. of Arvada, CO and Patricia Church and husband John D. of Altus, OK; son-in-law, William Schmidt of Spring Hill, FL; six sisters, Mary T. Johnston of Lagrangeville, NY, Katherine E. Miller of Ancramdale, NY, Margaret A. Farmer of Verbank, NY, Jane Pauline Whitman of Poughkeepsie, NY, Sue Ellen DeForest of Lagrangeville, NY, Frances Antill of Pocotello, ID and brother, J. Peter DeForest of Lagrangeville, NY; six grandchildren, two step grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
