William Dilworth

Graveside services are scheduled for 9:45 AM Saturday, December 29, 2007 at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo. Memorial services are scheduled for 11:00 AM Saturday, December 29, 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church in Canyon with The Rev. Dr. Don McDonald, minister, officiating. William Luther "Bill" Dilworth died Thursday, December 27, 2007, after five months of residence at the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home. Bill was born to Robert Henderson and Lula Taylor Dilworth near Italy, Texas on August 31, 1922. He married Rowena Thornton, his wife of 34 years until her death in 1978, in Pyote, Texas. Between April 30, 1944 and July 20, 1944, he flew 31 missions in a B-17 in the European Theater of Operations, serving as a ball turret gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After returning to Texas in 1944, he attended Texas A&M University, where he completed his Degree in Floriculture in 1951. He worked the remainder of his active life in the Floriculture industry and was employed at Irwin Greenhouses from November of 1973 until his retirement a few years ago. While employed at Irwin Greenhouse, he was known affectionately as, "Mr. Bill," by all whom worked with him. He was an expert breeder of the most beautiful gloxinia plants in the country. Mr. Dilworth was a long time member and elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Canyon. The family acknowledges the many kindnesses from the Presbyterian Church representatives. The family also wants to thank the management staff at Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home for their extraordinary attention and care. Survivors include his wife of almost three decades, Marie Hukill Dilworth, of the home; brother, Robert Taylor " Buddy" Dilworth, of Italy, TX; three daughters, Patricia Dilworth Warren and husband, Bob, of Plano, Kathleen Dilworth Warner and husband, Haverde, of Goldthwaite, Teresa Dilworth Hanson and husband, Stuart, of Grand Prairie; four grandchildren, Mindy Warren Baxter and husband, Jeff, of Dallas, Zack Warren, of Houston, Will Warner, of Austin, Tess Warner, of Goldthwaite; three great grandchildren, Suzanne, Henry, and Sam Baxter, of Dallas; two stepsons, Gary Hukill and wife, Linda, of Mustang, OK, Gordon Hukill, of Yukon, OK; step grandson, Clint Hukill and wife, Cheryl, of Canyon; and two step great grandsons, Colton and Christian Hukill, of Canyon. The family requests that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church, 904 19th Street Canyon, TX 79015, Cal Farley"s Boys Ranch, PO Box 1890 Amarillo, TX 79174, or Presbyterian Home For Children, 3400 S. Bowie Amarillo, TX 79109.