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WILLIAM FRANKLIN Mr. William Franklin Whitfield (Bill) was called home surrounded by family on January 21, 2008 after an extended illness. He was born April 10, 1927 in Wood, Pennsylvania, the eldest son of Lillian Gutshall and James Henry Whitfield. Bill attended the Hollidaysburg High School where he graduated as valedictorian and received the Rensselaer Math & Science Award. Bill was drafted into the United States Army during the same year and had as his first assignment, the position of drill instruction Fort McLellan. In 1946 he applied to and was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation, he accepted his commission as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Air Force. After serving at several posts, Bill was sent to Sherman, Texas, where he attended flight school. Subsequently, he served in the 40th Bomber Wing as a B-29 pilot in the Korean War Conflict. While stationed in San Antonio, Texas, he met Sue Trammell whom he married on May 29, 1954. He resigned his commission in the United States Military in September, 1954 and moved to Austin, Texas to pursue his legal profession. After his graduation from The University of Texas of Law, he accepted a position at the firm of Vinson & Elkins in Houston, Texas. In 1960, Bill moved his family to New Mexico where he engaged in banking, ranching, and other investments. He was a member of the Albuquerque Petroleum Club and the Albuquerque Country Club. Since 1983, he has made his home in Houston where he was a member of the Houston Country Club, Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and honorary member of the Ramada Club. Bill whole-heartedly embraced his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was active in many aspects of the Christian community. He is survived by his wife, of almost 54 years, Sue Trammell Whitfield; daughter, Susan Trammell Whitfield of Houston, Texas; son, William F. Whitfield Jr. of Seattle Washington; daughter, Celia Bryan Whitfield Crank of Dallas, Texas; and son, Walter Trammell Whitfield of Los Angeles, California; son-in-law, James Floyd Crank; daughter-in-law, Diane Ratzlaff Whitfield of Seattle Washington; and six grandchildren, Amelia Bryan Crank, Madeline Claire Crank, Carolena Gabrielle Crank, Liam Bryan Whitfield, Stanley Ashton Whitfield, Henry Trammell Whitfield. Arrangements in Houston are entrusted to Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 713.789.3005, www.geohlewis.com. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Thursday, the 24th of January, in the Parlor of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. The Funeral Service will be conducted at half-past ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 25th of January, at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Laurens A. Hall, Rector, will serve as the lead officiant. For those desiring, valet parking services shall be available at the entrance to the sanctuary. Immediately following the Service, the family will gather for a private interment ceremony at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston. All are invited to then join the family for a reception at the Whitfield residence at one o'clock Friday afternoon. Directions and address information shall be included in the service bulletin or otherwise distributed at the conclusion of the Funeral Service. Honored to serve as casket-bearers during the services are Bob Borden, Bart Seitz, Dean Whitfield, Harper Trammell, Randy Whitfield, Carol Vance, Philip Muinde, Bill Kinney, Mark Edwards, Eric Viehman, Dave Cauwels, Ewing Werlein. The family wishes to express their special thanks to Jose Ramirez and his Staff of caregivers, along with the Staff of the St. Regis Hotel, for their devotion. In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in memory of Mr. Whitfield may be directed to Prison Fellowship Ministries, PO Box 1550 Merrifield, VA, 22116-1550; The Luis Palau Ministries, P.O. Box 50, Portland, OR, 97207; The Texas Heart Institute Development Office, MC 3-117, P.O. Box 20345, Houston, TX, 77225-0345; or The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX, 77004.
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