Bill E. Raywinkle

Bill E. Raywinkle Memorial services for Bill E. Raywinkle will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at the Winterfield United Methodist Church, 2616 Tryon Road, Longview, Texas, following family committal services at Rosewood Park Mausoleum, with the Reverend Mike Lindstrom presiding. Mr. Raywinkle died at Good Shepherd Medical Center on Saturday following a short illness. Born in Winnfield, LA. on February 11, 1912, Mr. Raywinkle came to East Texas after graduation from Louisiana Tech University and began a long and rewarding career as an Engineer with Atlantic Richfield Oil Company. He was widely respected as an expert on the East Texas oil field. Following his retirement in 1977, he served as a consultant to a number of independent oil operators in the area. He also enjoyed participation in the ARCO Retirement Club. Mr. Raywinkle was a loyal and dedicated member of Winterfield United Methodist Church for over 50 years. During that time, he served in many official capacities, including service on the Administrative Board, many committees of the church, and in many other related organizations, including the Methodist Men and the Sterling Club. He was a former member of the Chancel Choir and for a number of years was the teacher of the Loyal Workers Sunday School class. The family is thankful for the wonderful legacy of faith, dedication and Christian character, which were hallmarks of his life. Mr. Raywinkle is survived by his wife of 50 years, Josephine Raywinkle, to whom he was devoted; one daughter, Billie Ann Huffman and her husband Charles Huffman of Longview; four sons, Bill E. Raywinkle, Jr., of Tucson, AZ., H.E. "Bud" Raywinkle and wife Louise of Longview, Jerry Gilstrap and wife Diana of Shady Shores, TX., and Mike Gilstrap and wife Barbara of Humble, TX. He was especially proud of his seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A sister, Mina Lee McKaskle of Natchitoches, LA.. also survives him as well as three nieces. Special caregivers Cathy Smith and Letha Yates offered extraordinary love and care during the final weeks of his life, for which the family is most grateful. The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday evening, December 9, 2002. God calls our loved ones, but we lose not wholly what He has given; They live on earth in thought and deed as truly as in His heaven.

Bill E. Raywinkle

February 11, 1912 - December 7, 2002