Wilton Gene Despain

Funeral services for Mr. Wilton Gene Despain, 88, of Gilmer will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Gilmer with Reverend Roger Tarver and Mickey Davidson officiating under the direction of Croley Funeral Home. Mr. Despain passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 in Longview. He was born on December 20, 1926, in Durant, Oklahoma to William Dennis and Iva Mae Townsend Despain. Mr. Despain served our country as a rifle marksman in the U. S. Army during WWII. He worked for Phillips Petroleum as a millwright where he was recognized for two safety inventions. After moving to East Texas he became the owner/operator of Despain Grocery in Gilmer and later worked as a Millwright at Lone Star Steel before retiring. Mr. Despain is survived by his wife, Donna B. Hardman of Gilmer; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Mary Helen Despain of Gilmer; daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda Shannon of Longview, Carolyn and Michael Cunningman of Austin, Pat and Randy Peel of Gilmer, Paula and David Harris of Gilmer; sister, Joyce McDonald of Borger; 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and great grandson, Jackson Peel. The family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. on April 3, at the Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer.