Lt. Col. William Roy O'Dell

Lt. Col. William Roy O’Dell was born in Lawton Oklahoma on December 4, 1913 to William Rufus O’Dell and Effie Mae Williams O’Dell. He passed away peacefully of natural causes on February 27, 2009 in his son and daughter-in-laws home and under the care of Hospice and a wonder group of in-home staff. He was survived by his wife Marjorie Boynton O’Dell, daughter Kathy Chell of Melbourne Beach, Florida, and son Bill O’Dell of Gainesville, Florida. He had 3 grandchildren, Sydney Niewierski of Tampa, Florida, Joanna McClure of New York and Mark McClure of Tampa, Florida. He also had 4 great grandchildren Jack, Jonah and Alex Niewierski and June Salinas. Lt. Col. O’Dell was predeceased by his mother, father, three sisters and two brothers. Lt. Col. O’Dell was an Air Force veteran who served in both World War II and the Korean War.

After a distinguished 20 year career he retired in 1963. He loved and cared for his family. He was an avid fisherman, the rest of the family not so much but they accompanied him on numerous fishing/camping trips and thoroughly enjoyed his fish fries. After he retired he combined his love of woodworking and his wife’s love of painting into a fun business. They traveled to numerous local Arts and Crafts shows together enjoying talking to and meeting people much more than selling his handiwork. He had a large garden that produced an abundance of vegetables. He and his wife, Marjorie took long trips across the United States always accompanied by a beloved dog.

The graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Shelfer Cemetery in Havana. Faith Funeral home is in charge of arrangements (850-539-4300 or www.faithfuneralhome.com)

In lieu of flowers, family request memorial donations be made to Big Bend Hospice 1723 Mahan Center Blvd Tallahassee, FL 32308