Victor Wesseling

CORPUS CHRISTI -- Victor Edward Wesseling, 90, retired from the U.S. Air Force, celebrated his homecoming with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, at a retirement home in Corpus Christi surrounded by family. Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Richland Hills Baptist Church, Richland Hills, with the Rev. Mark Thrash and Dr. James Bass presiding. Interment: 1 p.m. Wednesday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with full military honors. Viewing: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Richland Hills Baptist Church, 6852 Baker Blvd., Richland Hills, Texas 76118, or Christus Spohn Hospice Care, 6200 Saratoga Blvd., Suite 104, Corpus Christi, Texas 78414. "Wess," as he was known, was born in Alleghan, Mich., on June 10, 1917. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1939 and was later stationed at Hickham Field, Hawaii, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. A year later, he was selected to pilot school where he received his wings flying B-17s. Additionally, he was an instructor in the C-46, C-47 and CG-4A glider. While stationed in Japan in 1949, he was transferred to Europe and flew in the Berlin airlift for six months. He served as pilot, flight engineer and in several other capacities. While stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Wess married the former Judy Copeland. He attended First Baptist Church in Austin and was led to the Lord by Dr. W.R. White, who also performed their wedding Dec. 21, 1946. Wess served the Lord overseas and in every state he was stationed. He was the strong, reserved, silent type who served in the background, never seeking praise or recognition. He deeply loved his church family at every station, especially Richland Hills Baptist Church in Richland Hills. Always quietly and faithfully serving, Wess made sure tables, chairs and song books were in place for Sunday school and the evening services at Homewood Retirement Home. The Lord blessed Judy and Wess with two sons, Richard and David, both retired Marines. Survivors: His wife of 60 years and 11 months, Judy; son, Richard (Gail) of Corpus Christi; granddaughters, Heather and Audrey; son, David (Melinda) of Roswell, Ga.; grandchildren, Matthew, Amanda and Lindsey; son, Victor Jr. (Diane) of Pico Rivera, Calif.; grandchildren, Anita, Victor III, Derek, Jannece and Paige; great-grandchildren, Haley and Brook; sister, Arlene Robinson of Lupton, Mich.; and a very close nephew, Jim Sockow (Pat) of Huntington Hills, Mich.

Victor Wesseling

June 10, 1917 - November 23, 2007