WILLIAM EUGENE CALDWELL JR.

William Eugene "Gene" Caldwell, Jr., 78, of Jacksonville passed away Friday morning, December 5, 2008 at his residence. He was born April 22, 1930 in Marshall, MO the son of William Eugene and Leora Nichols Caldwell. He married Bonnie Ann Brown on June 12, 1954 at the First Christian Church in Marshall, MO and she survives.

He is also survived by one son, Gregory Gene (wife, Susan) Clemons of Tinley Park, IL; 3 daughters, Regina (husband, Gregg) Middleton of Warner Robins, GA, Leslie (husband, Danny) Colwell of Pontiac, IL and Courtney (husband, Toby) Sisk of Nashville, TN; 13 grandchildren, Michael R. Warden, Bonnie Schilbach, Karen Sweet, Jesse Colwell, Stephanie Middleton, John Colwell, Sarah Colwell, John Clemons, Kelly Birdsell, Abigail Colwell, Benjamin Clemons, Brady Sapp and Casey Sapp; 10 great-grandchildren and one sister, Catherine(husband, Robert) Moore of Basehor, KS.

Mr. Caldwell established the branch office of Mid-Continental Restoration Co. in Jacksonville in 1970. He retired as Vice President of the company in 1997. He was also a proud member of the Bricklayers and Carpenters Union, having worked on many buildings in the area. He was an active member of the Community Christian Church in Jacksonville where he was a deacon, trustee and treasurer. He served in the United States Army 82^nd Airborne Division from 1948-1950 as a Paratrooper. He was very active in the Morgan County Democratic Party. He was a private pilot, having owned his own plane and loved his pets.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at Williamson Funeral Home with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 5-8 on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Community Christian Church. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.airsman-hires.com.