Joel S. Boswell

Joel Sidney Boswell, 69, of Austin, TX, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2017, after a long illness surrounded by his family. Joel is survived by his wife, Connie Fielder Boswell; daughters Kelly Boswell Whitson (husband Chris) of Talladega, AL, Sandy Granillo of San Diego, CA, ad Illiana Boswell of Austin; grandchildren Mareta, Daryl, Chris Jr., Kelvin, and Georgia; and brothers Richard Boswell of Sacramento, CA and John Boswell of Prescott, AZ. He was predeceased in death by his parents Roma and Frank Boswell.

Joel was born February 21, 1948, in Pisgah, IA, but was proud to be raised in Rapid City, near the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was there he learned his passion for fishing and flying and earned his private pilot’s license. After graduation from Rapid City Central High School in 1966, he enlisted in the Navy and served in Viet Nam from 1967 to 1973. It was in Viet Nam where his daughters Kelly and Sandy were born. After returning home to Rapid City, he soon moved to his adopted state of Texas (which he called “the center of the universe”). Throughout the 1970’s and ‘80’s, he enjoyed various overseas assignments in the Middle East and South America, working for Haliburton in offshore construction. His time abroad was enriched by the life-long friendships he made.

In 1986, he married his Texas sweetheart, Connie Fielder, and they began their life together in Punta Arenas, Chile. They later returned to the U.S. and moved to San Mateo, CA where he worked for United Airlines as an aircraft maintenance supervisor and completed his Associate of Science degree from College of San Mateo. During this time, he and Connie enjoyed travels to their favorite locations in Hawaii, Italy, Scotland, and England. They moved back to Texas with Illiana in 2007, and made their home in Austin. Joel deeply loved his family and friends and always found pleasure solving crossword puzzles, visiting with strangers and taking his pups, Amy and Scout, to the Red Bud Trail dog park.

We would like to give special thanks to the team of doctors and nurses at Dell Seton – UT Medical Center for their wonderful care, love, and support. In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions be directed to the Hospice Austin Christopher House or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017, at 10:00 am, at the Walden-Cook/Forest Oaks Funeral Home at 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas.