George Bill Wilburn Luther

Services for G. W. “Bill” Luther will be Tuesday, May 3 at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, Tyler at 2pm. Entombment will follow at the Field of Honor Mausoleum at Tyler Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, Tyler. Officiating will be Pastors Lee Evans and David Mahfood.

Bill was born on May 28, 1921 and passed away April 29, 2011 at age 89. He was raised in the Dean community by his parents Walter Williams and Ida Thomas Chapman Luther.

He was a B-17 pilot during World War II with the 490th Bomb Squadron. He married the love of his life, Melba E. Stracener on August 5, 1944. After WWII Bill became a corporate pilot for Renwar Oil and then Tenneco Oil. Upon retirement they moved to Tyler in 1981.

Bill and Melba served faithfully in the churches wherever they lived. He was a member of the West Lake Baptist Church, Chandler.

Bill was predeceased by sisters, Lois Garrison, Leo English, Mildred Moncrief, Marie Gilstrap, Lottie Gilstrap, brother, Hayes Luther and daughter, Cheryl Griswold.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Melba, daughter, Gayle Mekalip and her husband Joe of Tyler, son-in-law Tommy Griswold of Port Neches, TX, grandchildren Jeff Mekalip and his wife Tracey of Troup, Greg Mekalip and his wife Melanie of Brownsboro, Shawn Griswold of Denver, CO, Amy Douthwaite and her husband Dave of Coupland, TX, and great grandchildren Lauren Mekalip of Troup, Matthew Mekalip, Makenna Mekalip and Michael Mekalip of Brownsboro.

There will be a time of visitation Monday, May 2 from 6pm-8pm at the funeral home.

Suggested family donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas or the charity of choice.

Special appreciation to Jessie Jeffries, the doctors, Chandler Nursing Center, and Home Place for their care during Bill’s illness. Arrangements are under the care of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, Tyler.