LT. COL. WENDELL E. SNOWDEN

VeteranWendell Snowden Killed In Airplane Crash

Lt. Col. Wendell E. Snowden, Retired, of Pineville, La., was killed in a plane crash near the Tampico, Mexico airport on Friday evening, Apr. 20, 1979, at 7 p.m.

Snowden and Paul Raymon of McAllen, Tex., were on their way from Belize, British Honduras to McAllen, Tex., planning to stop at Tampico, Mexico, to refuel. The plane apparently developed problems in one of its engines and burst into flames while trying to land.

Snowden was born Sept. 25, 1933, a son of Otis and Nellie Snowden of Vermont, Ill. He married Billie Jo Guyton of Greenville, Miss., on Feb. 24, 1955. She survives; also a son Timothy Scott and daughter Carol Lynn, all of Pineville, La.

Other survivors are his mother of Vermont, Ill., and brothers, Edmund of Vermont, Eldon of Macomb, Dave, of Marietta, Ga., Devere of Table Grove and Larry of Farmington.

Preceding him in death was his father, Otis, and brothers Dale, Dwight and Don.

He was a 26-year member of Vermont American Legion Post No. 26 of Vermont, Ill., a U.S. Air Force veteran of Korean and Vietnam Wars. He had received the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Distinguished Flying Cross.

Funeral services were held at Hixson Bros. Apr. 24 at 10 a.m. in the chapel with Rev. James Duke officiating. Full Military graveside rites were conducted by personnel from England Air Force Base at Alexandria Memorial Gardens. He was buried in Alexandria National Cemetery, La.

His mother, and brothers, Devere Snowden of Table Grove, Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Snowden of Macomb, and Dave Snowden of Marietta, Ga., attended the services.

 

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 5/2/1989

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Former Vermont Resident Dies

Mrs. Nellie Snowden of Vermont received word over the weekend of the death of her son, Lt. Col. Wendell Snowden, who was killed in an airplane crash in Tampico, Mexico, Friday, Apr. 20, 1979.

Funeral services will be announced later by the Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Pineville, La. He was a pilot in the armed forces.

He is survived by his wife, Billie Joe, and children of 205 Landler Parkway, Pineville, La. 71360. Also, five brothers, Eldon of Macomb, Devere of Table Grove, Larry of Farmington, Edmund of Vermont and Dave, in the state of Georgia, survive.

 

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 4/25/1989 (pending)

 

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