Waggoner Jr., George B.

KILGORE -- Services for George B. Waggoner, Jr., 85, of 
Kilgore, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 24, 2007, at 
the Forest Home Baptist Church in Kilgore, with the 
Reverend Earl W. "Buddy" Duggins officiating. Interment 
will follow in Danville Cemetery. Mr. Waggoner passed 
away Wednesday, February 21, 2007, in Longview. Mr. 
Waggoner was born June 3, 1921, in Rusk, to G.B. and 
Pearl Waggoner, who preceded him in death. He grew up 
in Rusk, where he graduated from Rusk High School in 
1938. George proudly served our country during World War 
II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in October of 
1940 and went overseas in December of 1942 and returned 
to the United States in August of 1945. He was a crew 
chief on a fighter-bomber and crewed a fighter-bomber on 
more than 200 missions, which took part in the invasion 
of Sicily, Salerno, Italy, Anzio, Italy and southern 
France. He received the EAME Service Ribbon, Distinguished 
Unit with one Silver Star and four Bronze Stars. He also 
received the Defense Service Ribbon. The medal he was most 
proud of was the Soldiers Medal he received for bravery. 
After the war, he worked for Humble Oil and Refining Co., 
which later became Exxon Co. U.S.A. Mr. Waggoner worked for 
Humble and Exxon for 31 years. The last five years were 
spent with Esso Exploration in Africa, Egypt, Portugal and 
England. After retirement he spent six years working as a 
consultant for a Denmark based oil company. George was an 
avid golfer and served on the board of directors at Baywood 
C.C. in Houston. For the last several years, he had been an 
active member of Forest Home Baptist Church. George loved 
his Lord and loved teaching the Sanctuary Class at Forest 
Home Baptist Church. Mr. Waggoner was a Mason and member of 
the Masonic Lodge No. 1120 in Jourdanton. He is survived by 
his wife of 33 years, Doris Waggoner of Kilgore; two sons 
and daughters-in-law Michael and Sandra Waggoner of 
Corbondalle, Colorado, and Gary and Melody Waggoner of 
Houston; two daughters and son-in-law, Beverly and Charles 
Flather of San Diego, California, and Sheila Waggoner of 
Houston; stepson, Darren and wife, Mary Ellen Smith, of 
Cheswick, Pennsylvania; stepdaughters, Lisa Emmel of Kilgore 
and Ilona Hogan of Kilgore; granddaughters, Meghan and 
Jessica Waggoner of Houston; stepgrandchildren, Tyler and 
Travis Smith of Cheswick, Pennsylvania, Ashley Emmel of 
Longview and Ani Honaker of Kilgore; as well as several 
nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial contributions can be 
made to the Forest Home Baptist Church Building Fund, 15746 
C.R. 173 N., Kilgore, TX 75662. The family will receive 
friends from 6-7 p.m. this evening, at Rader Funeral Home of 
Kilgore. Please leave online condolences at 
www.raderfuneralhome.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 2/23/2007.