Harvey Frank Harwell

Harvey Frank Harwell was born March 26, 1934, in Terrell, Texas, as the seventh child of ten born to the late Wylie Dock and Lucy Lorene (Campbell) Harwell. At a very early age, the family moved in search of work to Abilene, Texas, where at eight years old, Harvey encountered The Salvation Army. The large family was experiencing some difficulty, and one of the soldiers of the corps brought a box of groceries to help the family get through the challenges. Harvey was enamored with the lady in the uniform who would eventually become his mother-in-law. When he was ten years of age, he gave his heart to Jesus. After some time, he began attending The Salvation Army, where he developed a relationship with Wilma Dee Killam. They married on September 22, 1951. Their first child, Carolyn Marie was born two years later.

After a period of spiritual wandering, he rededicated his life to the Lord in the Abilene, Texas, Corps during an evangelistic campaign. While serving as a youth leader in the Abilene, Texas, corps, he heard the call to officership and after some initial struggle, Harvey surrendered to His Lord’s will and entered the School for Officer Training with the Proclaimers of the Faith session with his young family in 1963. Upon commissioning, they were appointed to Littlefield, Texas, as lieutenants in charge of The Salvation Army there. Their second child, Harvey Frank (Hank) Harwell II was born there.

In 1968, the family was transferred to Laredo, Texas. It was there that Harvey testified to having received his “gift of tongues.” As most of the work done there was in Spanish, he found he was unable to adequately communicate with the people in his care. In a matter of a few weeks, he learned enough Spanish to not only be conversational, but competently so. As a result, he was asked to accompany relief teams to Central America to assist in the recovery efforts following a hurricane which devastated Honduras, and an earthquake which severely damaged Guatemala. In Laredo, the family welcomed a baby boy they named Philip Mark Harwell into the family.

Harvey served with his wife as the corps officer in Wichita Falls, Galveston, Texarkana, Midland, and San Angelo, all in Texas. He was also appointed as Area Commander for Galveston County, Texas, and then to Fayetteville, Arkansas. His last corps appointment was Enid, Oklahoma. Prior to retirement, they served as Texas Divisional Evangelists.

In retirement, he served as a chaplain at the Waco William Booth Gardens Apartments and as Corps Sergeant-Major at the Waco Corps for many years. He was known for his warm sense of humor and deep interest and care for people, especially young people. As a result of his experience, he was particularly concerned with soul-winning and ensuring that everyone under his influence knew about Jesus and encouraged them to follow Him. Many officers have indicated how they were welcomed to the division and encouraged in the early days of their officership by the Harwells.

Harvey was promoted to Glory on September 26, 2022, from his home in Waco, Texas, having served the Lord faithfully.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings; daughter, Carolyn; and beloved wife of 67 years, Wilma. He is survived by his sons, Major Harvey Frank (Eunice) Harwell II and Major Philip Mark (Jan) Harwell; son-in-law, Gary Leandre; three grandchildren, Michele (Leandre) Anson, Gary D. Leandre II, and Kelsie Nicole (Harwell) New; as well as great-granddaughters Megan and Kaitlin Anson and Liliana and Luna Leandre; and multiple nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Salvation Army Texas Assoc. of Retired Officers to support its various mission projects and activities.

Texas Association of Retired Officers

c/o Major Nancy Mowers

901 Lakeside Circle, #12103

Lewisville, Texas 75057

A funeral service will be held Monday, October 3, at 9:30 a.m., at The Salvation Army of Waco, with Major James Taylor officiating. Burial will take place that day at 3:00 p.m., at Restland Memorial Park, in Dallas. Visitation will be Sunday, October 2, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.