Edward W. Endsley

Submitted by: Sylva Rhodes

Published in Enid, OK. News
Sat. Nov. 5, 2005 (with picture)

The funeral services for Edward W. Endsley, 84-year-old Enid resident, will be Monday, 2 p.m. November 7, 2005, in the Henninger-Allen Funeral Home Chapel. Tom Washburn will officiate. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Edward was born May 13, 1921, in Coffeyville, KS., to Edgar W. and Maude (Cellan) Endsley and went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, Enid, OK.

He attended school in Cleo Springs, OK. Edward volunteered for the service in 1939 and completed his basic training at Camp Roberts in California. In 1942, he volunteered for "Jump School" and trained at Fort Benning, GA. He first served in the 504th Parachute Infantry in Anzio, Italy. His regiment was the last to leave. He then trained near Leicester, England, with the Pathfinders, with the 505th Parachute Infantry for the Invasion of Normandy. They parachuted in the night before D-Day. During his time serving in the European Theater, he was wounded twice. He received the Purple Heart, four Bronze Service Stars, one Bronze Arrow Head Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Service Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal, and Oak Leaf Cluster. He was discharged on June 28, 1945, with the rank of staff sergeant.

On July 28, 1946, he married Juanita Williams in Enid, OK., where the couple made their home. He worked for Champlin Refinery for 30 years. After his retirement, the couple loved traveling throughout the country in their travel trailer. He was a member of the North Garland Church of Christ.

He is survived by his children, Linda White of Enid, OK., Ronnie and Donnie Endsley of Tacoma, WA., and Edward Wayne Endsley, Jr. of Canyon Lake, TX.; his sisters, Rosemary Curtis of Enid, OK., Vera Meyer of St. Petersburg, FL., Lorene Roggow of Enid, OK., and Glena Johnson of Wichita, KS.; his six grandchildren, Trina and David Williams of Enid, OK., Kim Johnson and Rachel Talamantes also of Enid, OK., Sandy Towner of Coyle, OK., and Nikki Durkow of Tacoma, WA.; 10 great-grandchildren, Tatum, Sidney and Ragen Talamantes, Brandon, Colin and Jared Grubb, Kelly Ann and Joshua Durkow, Crystal Guthrie and Austin Leet; one great-great-grandchild, Jaden Grubb of Enid, OK. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Juanita Endsley, his parents, three brothers and two sisters and one great-grandchild, Brianna Marie Leet, and one great-great-grandchild, Jastyn Lile.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society with the funeral home acting as custodians of the fund.