In early 1945, George and five of his senior classmates joined the U.S. Maritime Service (Merchant Marines). After two trips, he decided that it was not for him, so he left and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. After basic training at Sheppard Field near Wichita Falls, Texas, and Lowry Field near Denver, Colorado, he was assigned to the Air Transport Command, Statistical Control Section, in Fairfield, California. After eighteen months of service, he was discharged with the rank of Sergeant and returned to Troup. For a short while, George worked at the Brick Plant in Troup, then quit and enrolled in Tyler Commercial College on the G.I. Bill of Rights, where he obtained a Senior Accountant’s Certificate. While George was going to school, he married Helen Marie Moore on November 23, 1948. Helen continued to work and help George through school while living in Tyler, Texas.
In 1950, George was employed by The Pure Oil Company in Van, Texas, as a Field Clerk and worked in other various clerical positions in Midland, Texas; Hobbs, New Mexico; and Andrews, Texas, until 1962. He was in Lafayette, Louisiana, from 1962 until 1966 with Pure Oil Company as District Chief Clerk. In 1966, Pure merged with Union Oil Company of California (which later became Unocal Corp.), and George was transferred back to Midland, Texas, as a Division Clerical Supervisor. In 1969, George was transferred to the Los Angeles, California, Corporate Office as Oil and Gas Division’s Budget and Profit Planning Manager.
When George retired in 1986 at the age of 59, he was Assistant to the Vice-President of O&G Western Region in Pasadena, California. In that position, he handled budgets, profit planning and salary administration. In November of 1992, he moved back to Texas to his present home. Retirement was great for George (except for some of Helen’s unfortunate health problems). They thoroughly enjoyed traveling the world and went on 36 cruises. Toward the end of their time together, George and Helen enjoyed taking it easy and staying home.
George was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Marie Moore Elliot. He is survived by his son, Gary (Claudia) Elliot of Port St. Lucie, Florida; daughter, Phyllis (Don) Sirchia of Klein, Texas; sisters, Ima Jean McCauley and Vonna Beth Hardy; grandchildren, Erika, Kevin, and Taylor Sirchia, Geoffrey Elliot, and Shannon Yowell; great-granddaughter, Hailey Sirchia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 15, 2018, starting at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home. A Celebration of George’s life will begin in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a committal service in Forest Park The Woodlands Cemetery.
For those wishing to give, please donate to The Woodlands First Baptist Church in honor of George Wiley Elliott Jr..
