William B. Bill Brightwell's Obituary
Funeral Services for Mr. William B. " Bill" Brightwell, age 87 of Henderson , will be held at 4:00pm Wednesday April 30, 2008 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Tisdale & Rev. Robert Hall officiating. Burial will follow in the Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Brightwell passed away Sunday April 27, 2008 at a local nursing center.
William B. "Bill" Brightwell was born July 14, 1920 in Leverett's Chapel. He was a graduate of Henderson High School, and Stephen F. Austin University. While At SFA Bill played on the Lumberjack Football team where he was fondly known as "Cutie" Brightwell. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from1942 – 1946. On August 4, 1951 He married Laura Elizabeth Hudgens. Bill was a self- employed insurance agent, and he sold for Aflac Insurance for many years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Henderson where he was a deacon. He was a former member of the Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Club. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his wife Laura Elizabeth Brightwell, son Andy Brightwell, his parents Nathan & Ella Mae Brightwell, sisters Pauline Savage and Hazel Hutto.
Mr. Brightwell is survived by a daughter Mayann Brightwell of Henderson, son
Robert Brightwell & wife Cynthia of Rockwall, daughter in law Cheryl Brightwell of Shreveport, grandchildren Caroline, Faith, Ivy, and Haley Brightwell, sister Louise Wade of Wylie, step mother Mary Brightwell of Henderson, step brothers Dr. Nathan Brightwell of Colorado Springs, Co. and Mike Brightwell of Henderson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Dalton Jones, Richard Smith, Glen Deason, Mark Dowden, Tracy Rae, Pat Brown, Jess Pendergrass and Rauly Williams. Honorary Pallbearers will be Harold Pool, Milford Tate, Rev. Lou Brown, Howard Hall, and Dr. Sanford Ladage.
The family visitation will be from 6pm – 8pm Tuesday night at the funeral home.
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Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
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