In Loving Memory Of

John W. Birdwell

John William (J. W.) Birdwell, Jr., of Pauls Valley was born November 15, 1919 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to John William Birdwell, Sr. and Alice Florence McConkey Birdwell. He passed away August 3, 2006 at Norman, Oklahoma at the age of 86 years. He grew up in Paoli, Oklahoma, and thus lived most of his life in this area, except for his years spent in military service.

J. W. enlisted in the regular Army on October 4, 1937, and spent his pre-war years in the Fourth Army Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. On May 26, 1941 he was honorably discharged from the Army. He also later enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on April 23, 1942, and was a veteran of World War II having served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged from the United States Coast Guard on September 13, 1945.

On February 3, 1938, in Oklahoma City he married Mary Elizabeth Whitlock of Honey Grove, Texas. Together they shared over 61 years of marriage until her death on September 18, 1999. During their marriage, they were blessed with a daughter, Alice Kay Birdwell Wilson, currently residing in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

J. W. worked for Warren Petroleum Corporation (now a division of Texaco Chevron Corporation) for 31 years, retiring on February 1, 1981.

Beginning in 1962, J. W. began serving as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Garvin County Sheriff's Office. He was Captain of the Reserves for 22 years. In 2002, the Garvin County Sheriff's Office awarded him a plaque in honor of his 40 years of service. During those 40 years, he served under 8 different sheriffs.

J. W. was married to Joyce Story Clinton, at Pauls Valley, Ok. on November 15, 2004. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Alice Birdwell; his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Birdwell; and brother, James E. Birdwell.

Surviving family include his wife, Joyce Birdwell of Pauls Valley; daughter and son in law, Alice Kay and Gerald Wilson of Ponca City.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 10, 2006 at 11:00 am at Stufflebean Chapel of Remembrance officiated by Dr. Joe Elam. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery under the direction of Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home.