Willford Delmer Andrews

Willford Delmer Andrews came into this world as the first born child of Robert and Minnie (Phillips) Andrews. The day he was born to his seventeen year old mother, his father ran the newly acquired Model T care into the side of the house—it was August 3, 1923. His life which began in Afton, Oklahoma spanned ninety-two years five months and twenty one days and he drew his last breath on January 24, 2016 while at Medicolodge in Neosho, Missouri. Bonnie his only sister was born in January of 1925, the first of five siblings including Bobby, Lynnes, Jerry and Jimmie. They all survive him. Delmer was married to Opal Ferguson on January 21, 1942. Opal preceded him in death on April 4, 2003. To their marriage two sons were born- Delmer L. Andrews and Patrick D. Andrews. Both sons survive their father. On August 30, 2004 Delmer married Myrtle Moore Tipton. Myrtle preceded him in death on March 15, 2013. His family includes five grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren-survivors all. Andrews wore “many hats” during his ninety-two years on this earth. In his youth he delivered newspapers for the Miami News Record. He was employed as a service station attendant, worked for Spartan Aviation back when their operations were in Miami. His father helped him to gain employment with the Frisco railroad, but that was interrupted by his draft in to the United States Army in 1943. His Army service took him to Europe—first to the preparation in England and then the invasion onto Utah Beach on that infamous D-Day. He moved across Europe with Patton’s 3rd Army and spent many days and nights in the cold near Belgium’s city of Bastogne. He was wounded at Falaise Gap, recuperated at a field hospital, and rejoined the fight with his original unit as a forward artillery observer. Patrick Dale is named for two of his “buddies” who were mortally wounded. After his separation from the Army, he returned to his Frisco employment as a Yard Clerk working at locations in Miami, Fort Scott, Baxter Springs and Joplin. Later in his railroading career, he entered into train service and retired as a Conductor in 1985. (By then, the Frisco had merged with the Burlington Northern.) He took a break from the railroad in the mid-1950s to enter into the ministry with the Churches of Christ. He filled pulpits in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas—North Miami, Grove, Arkansas City, Sand Springs, Waynoka, Floydada, Great Bend, Parsons, and Jane. Patrick recently retired from the pulpit after twenty-one years with the Southeast Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas. Sean, the 2nd grandson, is presently on a hiatus from the pulpit, and Garrett, one of his grandsons is currently in college prior to entering the ministry—four generations of preachers. He was an avid HO Model Railroader, self-taught clock maker, self-taught office machines repairman, and accumulated over 4,000 hours as a private pilot with single and multiple engine ratings. Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Church of Christ in Miami on Friday, January 29, 2016. Interment will follow at the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. American Legion Post #147 Funeral Honors Team will be providing Military Rites. Casketbearers will be Jim Barker, Arthur Anderson, Willie NG, Harley Turner, David Davis and Kasey NG. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Andrews Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Willford Delmer Andrews

August 3, 1923 - January 24, 2016