W. H. 'Gene' Awtrey Jr.

Dec. 13, 1920--Oct. 29, 2005

ULYSSES, Kan. -- W. H. "Gene" Awtrey Jr., 84, died Saturday (Oct. 29, 2005) at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses.

He was born Dec. 13, 1920, in Wheeler, Texas, to William Henry Sr. and Jewell (Bryant) Awtrey. He graduated from Muleshoe High School in Muleshoe, Texas, in 1939. He attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.

He joined the Army in 1944 and served in the infantry division as a paratrooper in World War II.

He married Gladys Dorsch in La Junta, Colo., on Jan. 15, 1950.

He was a farmer and member of the First United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge and Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post No. 79.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Wayne Awtrey; and a brother, Deon Awtrey.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Eugena Gay and husband, Alan Hess of McCook, Sheila Rae and husband, Bill Hachmeister of Topeka, Kan., and Rhonda Kay and husband, Dale O'Connor of Olathe, Kan.; one daughter-in-law, Cathy Awtrey of Plano, Texas; one son, Richard and wife, Brenda Awtrey of Caldwell, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Ulysses with the Rev. Dennis H. Livingston officiating. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery with military rites by Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post No. 79.

Friends may call today, until 8 p.m., at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses.

Memorials are being accepted in his name at the First United Methodist Church or the Grant County Senior Center, both in care of the Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant, Ulysses, KS 67780, which is in charge of arrangements.