William Rayford (Ferd) McDowell passed from this life to be with his Lord & Savior in Heaven Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Ferd was born August 17, 1925 in Clarksville, TX to William E. & Lula Mae (Shelby) McDowell.
As a young man while living in Snyder he attended Snyder High School. At the age of seventeen he decided to join the military to serve his country, he had to get his mother’s consent to join because he was too young. While serving he was in the Naval Air Corps, spending his career with the Marines attached to the 2nd Marine Air Wing. He lived with the Seebees and served in WWII all over the South Pacific from 1943 – 1946 as a 2nd class Ordinance man. He married Joyce Chambers his high school sweetheart on December 29, 1946, in Snyder. They have two children, Ray McDowell and Kay Syverson.
Ferd and Joyce loved to travel and fish, and also loved to visit and have parties with friends.
Ferd was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Joyce and his sister Louise Williamson. Ferd leaves behind son, Ray McDowell & wife Kay, daughter Kay Syverson & husband Walter, grandchildren, Renee Meinkowsky & husband Troy, Mike Syverson & wife Alicia, James McDowell & wife Renea, Bobby McDowell & wife Melinda, Jeff Whitley & wife Carol, Steve Whitley & wife Paula, Susan Whitley, & Kim Hawkins & husband Vince, great-grandchildren, Brittany McDowell & husband Tim, Hunter McDowell, Kaytlin Syverson, Kanen & Bryndle Meinkowsky, great-great-grandchildren, Brooklyn & London McDowell.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, March 25, 2016 at Frank Wilson Funeral Directors, 4635 Oakwood Dr. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Frank Wilson Funeral Directors. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to thank Parks Methodist Nursing Home staff for the loving care they gave our Daddy.
We also appreciate Home Hospice nurses for the gentle manor and kindness shown always.
In lieu of flowers please make memorials to Home Hospice, 6010 E. Hwy. 191, Suite 235, Odessa, TX 79762, or the American Cancer Society, 811 Central Dr., Odessa, TX 79761.
Services entrusted to Frank Wilson Funeral Directors.
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