William Greenwell

William Caesar Greenwell was born to the union of Obadiah Greenwell and Inez Marie (St.Clair) Greenwell in Fort Worth, Texas on April 8, 1928. William was the youngest of ten children, with 4 brothers and 5 sisters, losing one of his sisters at an early age. William is preceded in death by his father, mother and all of his siblings with his last brother, Sinclair being called to his creator in May 2002. He also lost his loving wife Joan Frances Greenwell in February of 2012. William asked the Lord to come into his life at the early age of 10 at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX.

William was a graduate of I.M Terrell High School of Forth Worth, TX and then attended the legendary Praireview A&M. While at Praireview, William joined the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC ) and served from 1945 – 1951. After completing ROTC training he went directly into the Army as 2nd Lieutenant and was stationed at Fort Benning, GA for Infantry School and immediately completed an Associate Infantry Officers training course. As a newly commissioned officer he was dispatched to Korea as a part of the war effort and in September of 1952 while leading a charge up a hill with his platoon he was wounded. In recognition of his valor he received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, The Combat Infantry Man’s Badge, The Purple Heart, The Purple Heart Oak Leaf Cluster, The National Defense Service Medal, and one Overseas Bar.

He retired from active duty in 1957 and began his status as an Army Reservist where he served for a total of 35 years, attained the rank of Lt Colonel, and retired in 1988. While serving in the reserves he also began a long career working for the Civilian Personnel Office as a Position Classification Specialist on the Position and Pay Management staff. He earned a Meritorious Service Medal for his selfless dedication and great personal sacrifice in 1979. He retired from the CPO in 1993 prior to closing of the base at Fort Ord.

William C Greenwell married Joan F Greenwell July 31, 1950 both of Fort Worth, Texas. William was a loving husband, father (Dad, Poppy, Pops), brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who spent countless hours with his family and those that he considered special people; as a part of his family: nurturing, teaching, loving, disciplining and protecting them. He was known as a strict disciplinarian with a loving heart, but a no play attitude if you stepped out of line.

He was ordained as a Deacon under the Reverend Richard Nance at the First Baptist Church of Pacific Grove where he served faithfully for 50 years. He was appointed Chairman of the Deacon Board under Reverend Callaway and served until he became a member of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in 2006.

William served the Lord well, and our heavenly father called him home on Friday, September 7, 2012

William leaves to celebrate his life and homecoming: 6 children: Dwight (Jacqueline), William Jr. (Michelle), David (Lisa), Gerald (Toni), Joy (Greg Bryant ), Michael (Gywnn): 22 grandchildren: Stacy, Tabatha, Raven, Patrice, Patricia, William, Samuel, Joseph, David, Eric, Sarah I, Michael, Elisha, Sarah A, Cory, Shivon, Katherine, Anjelica, Aubriea, Joshua, Jordan, and Kaylah; 10 great grandchildren; Omar, Onassis, Samara, Malachi, Gianna, Makai, Shayla, Alonte, Mark, Gregory Scott Daniels III, and Carter Joseph and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends in Christ. He is also survived by his mother in law of 101 blessed years, Sarah Cass of Fort Worth, TX, and the rest of Joan’s family.

Viewing is Friday September 14, 2012 from 4-8pm at Bayside Community Mortuary, 1610 Noche Buena, Seaside. Funeral service is Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 11 am at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Seaside.