Mr. Bill D. Cathey, 78, passed away in Midland Memorial Hospital at 2:21 a.m. Friday, February 19, 2010. Funeral services are being held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church in Midland, Texas. Mr. Cathey was born in Coleman, Texas, November 12, 1931, to William Byron Cathey and Meithel LeMay Cathey. He was married to Kathleen Meadows in 1953 and had three children. Later, he was married to Loretta Hanke until her death in 2004. He grew up in Coleman, Texas and played on “muddy Fifth Avenue.” He graduated from Coleman High School in 1949. He joined the U.S. Navy in September 1950 and served for four years. He was stationed on Guam and at the Alameda Naval Air Station. He was fond of his experiences in the Navy especially maintaining the VR-2 JRM Mars. After his military service he moved back to Texas and spent several years working in the oil field and delivering milk for Borden. He began working for the U.S. Postal Service in San Angelo, Texas and transferred to Midland in 1962. In 1970, he left the Post Office and worked at the Yucca Tan Apartments. For a brief time the family lived in Richardson, Texas, and moved back to Midland in 1972. He resumed his career at the Post Office where he retired in 1990. He was a colonel in the CAF, a member of the First Christian Church in Midland, and belonged to AA for 45 years. Bill enjoyed the simple things of life, attending his high school reunions, watching women’s softball games, and eating breakfast with old friends, he especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. He has many friends in the Coleman area and West Texas who will miss him dearly. He is survived by a son, Lloyd Dan Cathey, his wife Nadine, and their daughter Lauren; a daughter, Mary Ann Cathey; and a daughter Leslie Kay Gibbs, and her sons Dylan and Dalton Gibbs. He is also survived by a sister, Jo Ann King and a brother-in-law John King of Brenham, TX; a mother-in-law Muriel Hanke of La Grange, TX; two brothers-in-law Tom and wife Dionne Hanke of Ponca City, OK; Bob and Sheila Hanke of Fayetteville, TX. The family will receive friends at Ellis Funeral Home, Monday, February 22, 2010 between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. Funeral services have been scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at First Christian Church, with Reverend Mike Hunter and Reverend Paula Brooks officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to First Christian Church, 1301 West Louisiana Ave., Midland, Texas 79701.
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