Grover C. Willcox

WILLCOX, GROVER Col. Ret. Grover C. Willcox, age 83, of Waco died Monday, February 25, 2002 in a local hospital. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:30AM Thursday, February 28 at Waco Memorial Park with Rev. Dan White officiating. Visitation with the family will be 6:00-8:00PM Wednesday, February 27 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Col. Willcox was born to Grover Cleveland and Adel Willcox in Anahuac, Texas on January 7, 1919. He attended Shriner Institute and Baylor University graduating in 1941. He married Gladys Glass in April 1942 in Jackson, Mississippi. Grover felt the call to duty by joining the Army Air Corps and served in WWII. He remained in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years, retiring in 1965. He then returned to Waco, where he was employed by Jackson & Barrett. Enjoying people, he was active in several organizations: Real Estate Board, Kiwanis, Downtown Bible Class, Salvation Army Board, Baylor Heart of the Order, Ridgewood Country Club and Retired Officers’ Association. He loved flying, hunting, fishing and golfing. A son, Grover Willcox, III preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Gladys Willcox of Waco; daughter, Betsy Owen and husband, Joe of Hewitt; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two half sisters, Martha Jane Stremple of Anahuac and Sara Ruth Youngblood of San Antonio. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity. Let a smile grace our faces as we see an airplane soar, a homerun hit, savor the sweet flavor and smell of chocolate chip cookies and a hug from a friend, for these were all things that brought him joy. He can now “run and play” again. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY