Bates County Obituaries

 

LEWIS, Wilford Russel (1876 - 1948 )
Obituary from an unidentified, undated news clipping, submitted by Jaime Armistead
Wilford Russel Lewis November 19, 1927 January 13, 2006 Visitation for Wilford Russel Lewis will be held at Basham Funeral Care (3312 Niles Street, Bakersfield, CA 93306) on Wednesday evening, January 18, 2006 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and the funeral service will be held at Valley Baptist Church (4800 Fruitvale Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93308) on Thursday morning, January 19, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Larry Wood will officiate and interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be John Lagerstrom, Dr. Craig Helmstedter, Dr. August Accetta, Mark Holmes, Rusty Lewis, Paul Billington, Jason Armistead and James Meredith. Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas Lewis, Joseph Lewis, Jake Luttrell, Walter Downs, Jr., Russell Helmstedter and Matthew Helmstedter. Wilford Russel Lewis was born in Bates County, Westpoint Township, Missouri on November 19, 1927 to John and Leta Lewis and he went home to be with the Lord on January 13, 2006 with his family by his side. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Leta Lewis; sons, David Russell Lewis and Russel Reagan Lewis; brother, John Richard Lewis; sisters, Peggy Lou Lewis, Betty Jean Lacey and Jane Dykman, and brother-in-law Bill Gage. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Nancy Lee Lewis; four daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and John Lagerstrom, Peggy and Dr. Craig Helmstedter, Stacey and Dr. August Accetta and Mary and Mark Holmes; grandchildren, Jaime and her husband, Jason Armistead, Julie and her husband, Paul Billington, Jeanie Lagerstrom, Russell Helmstedter, Matthew Helmstedter, Joni Lagerstrom, Christine Accetta, Annie Jo Accetta, Abigail Holmes, Colton Holmes, Megan Accetta, Mason Holmes; two great-grandchildren, Justin and Jenna Billington; brother and sister-in-law, Thomas & Dee Lewis; sister, Alice Pitts; brother-in-law, Clifford Dykman; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary "Missie" and E.J. Good and Deana Kay and Floyd Vermillion; brother, Joseph Lewis; mother-in-law, Beatrice Barton, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Sam & Beverly Barton, James and Kathryn Barton, Marvin and Lynn Cragin; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Gage; "adopted daughter" Teresa and Rusty Lewis and family, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. After completing the 11th grade, Wilford joined the Navy in 1945 serving on the USS Laffey as a fireman and participating in the atomic bomb testing in the Pacific. After his discharge in 1947, he moved to California in 1948. His first job in Bakersfield was helping Jake Luttrell build a house. After meeting his wife, they made their home in East Bakersfield. He got his start in auto parts at Mears Auto Parts and then moved on to C & L in 1950. He worked various jobs until opening his own parts store in 1968 and retiring in 1981. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized in 1985. Wilford found many ways to serve the Lord including giving the choir a try. In the next chapter of his life, he divided his time between many hours of service at Sierra Christian Service Camp, coaching his grandchildren, playing softball with his brother-in-law, Bill Gage, the Silver Streakers, watching his grandchildren play sports, doing many handy-man projects and reading. Over the years Wilford's greatest joys were his wife and family, having his grandchildren close, his love of Country, hunting, going to the mountains and listening to "RUSH." But, in his own words, he "loved Jesus Christ the most." For additional service information or floral delivery please contact Basham Funeral Care 873-8200. Basham Funeral Care Legacy.com