Memorial services for Retired Staff Sgt. Benjamin “Ben” Wetzel, 86, of Harker Heights, will be at 9:30 am, Friday, March 31st at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen with Reverend Robert Miller officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen at 11:00 am.
Mr. Wetzel passed away March 23, 2017, in Morgan’s Point Resort, joining his Heavenly Father. He was recently diagnosed with Multi Myeloma.
He was born June 26, 1930, in Buffaloville, Indiana to Carl and Amanda Wetzel.
He lived a full and remarkable life. He served his country proudly in the United States Navy and Army and bravely served in the Korean War. He received many medals to include the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Services Medal. He entered the Navy at age 17 from 1947 to 1950 and served on the USS Greenwood (DE-679) which that ship’s duty was to serve as a destroyer escort for the Battle Ship USS Missouri (#63). Then, he transferred to the Army in August of 1950. He was wounded in action in Korea. He retired from the military in 1968 at Fort Hood, Texas. After military retirement, he was a member of the Harker Heights Volunteer Fire Department in the mid 1960’s for many years. He was employed with Sigmor Shamrock #55 (which was the only two pump full service gas station that Sigmor Shamrock owned) as a manager in Killeen from 1968 to 1983. He, then, was self-employed with his wife as a landlord and was owner of Wetzel’s Used Cars. He was a Harker Heights Police Commissioner for many years. He was a current member of the DAV, the Purple Heart Association, and the Edsel Owner’s Club.
Ben lived his life daily doing what he enjoyed as a devoted family man, a husband, a father, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone he met. He will be forever missed but long kept in the hearts of those who knew him. He so much enjoyed his lotto tickets and the Dallas Cowboys. He, also, enjoyed his antique cars with his sons to include his 1958 Edsels, 1966 Checker, and a 1930 Model -A- Ford.
Mr. Wetzel was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Amanda Wetzel; his brothers, Cecil, Gene, Harold, Bill, Tiny, and Jack Wetzel.
Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Phyllis of Harker Heights; children, Alan Wetzel and his wife, Doris of Harker Heights, Lew Wetzel and his wife, Brenda of Harker Heights, Wyatt Wetzel and Kim Eakin of Harker Heights, Laura Hardcastle and her husband, Larry of Salado, Diana Wells and her husband, Jim of Morgan’s Point Resort, and Wanita Reeder and her husband, Dan of Belton; grandchildren, Jenny Kayser and husband, Jason of Harker Heights, Scotty Wetzel of Harker Heights, Justin Wetzel and wife, Samia of Killeen, Bryon Wetzel and his wife, Elizabeth of Anna, AJ Hardcastle of Harker Heights, Ricky Hardcastle and his wife, Crystal of Harker Heights, Emily Rayner and her husband, Tyler of Killeen, Michaela Wells and her fiancé John of Morgan’s Point Resort, Matthew Wells of Morgan’s Point Resort, Savannah Reeder of Belton, and Phillip Reeder of Belton; and 8 great-grandchildren. He is, also, survived by his brothers Mack and Glenn Wetzel, and his sisters, Ruth Dittmer, Alice Kern, Nina Welch, and Josephine Kerr.
We have profound gratitude for the caregivers from Scott & White Hospice and the Visiting Angels for making his last days comfortable. Should friends desire, donations may be made to Scott & White Hospice and Home Care, 5701 Airport Road, Temple, Texas 76502.
Visitation is Thursday, March 30, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, which is in charge of the arrangements.
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