Odell, William Edward (1917-1943)

Evening Kansan-Republican obituary: 1943 Jun 18 p. 4

Birth date: 1917 Nov 25

text of obituary:

Obituary - William Edward Odell

William Edward Odell, was born Nov. 25, 1917, in DesMoines, Iowa. His early years were spent in a Methodist parsonage in Iowa. He received most of his education in the schools of Wichita, having attended Friends University two years. Later he spent one year at Pasadena College, as Pasadena Calif.

December 29, 1940, he was married to Frances Regier, of North Newton.

Edward was employed in the Production Department of Boeings, when he was working at the time of his enlistment June 1, 1942. He received trainng at Goodland, Kansas, Waco and Lubbock, Texas, Alliance, Nebr., and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, February first, he achieved the rank of Flight Officer.

Edward departed this life at Maxton, North Carolina, June 7, 1943.

He was preceded in death by his father, the Rev. W. A. Odell, and is survived by his wife, Frances; his mother, Mrs. Elva Odell, of Wichita, and his sister, Mrs. Warren Louden, of Grinnell, Iowa. Also other relatives.

Edward united with the Methodist church in his early childhood and was baptized by his father. He was a member of the Calvary Methodist church, of Wichita at the time of his departure.

A short prayer service was held at the A. J. Regier home. A quartet composed of, Henry Penner, Ada Friesen, Gertrude Hohmann and Wilfred Friesen sang one song "What A Fellowship", they were accompanied by Helen Voran pianist.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at 10:00 a. m. from the Bethel College Chapel with the following clergymen officiating, Rev. W. E. McCoy, Rev. Lester Hostetler, Rev. A. E. Kreider.

A quartette composed of Henry Penner, Ada Friesen, Gertrude Hohmann, and Wilfred Friesen sang, "Lead Kindly Light" and Rev. W. E. McCoy sang as a solo "Heavens Sweet Bells" they were accompanied on the organ by Miss Erna Fast. The pallbearers were, John Caldwell, Eldon Rich, J. K. Hutchens, Warren Louden, Lester Ewy and R. C. Kauffman. Interment was in the Greenwood cemetery under the direction of Dick A. Morris of the Morris Mortuary. At the close of the services at the grave Taps was sounded by William Getz.