K.D. Willbanks of Lake Jackson, Texas passed away on August 3, 2013 at the age of 95 years. He led a long and happy life and will be remembered as a man of quiet strength and integrity, who loved his family dearly.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Elinor Morrison Willbanks; his son Kendall Dwight Willbanks of Lake Jackson; daughter Lou Ellen Chachere and husband John of Houston, TX; three granddaughters Gina Willbanks and husband Jeff Pretzel and Ginny Morrison and husband Nick of Spring, TX and Carolyn Chachere of Austin, TX; daughter-in-law Genette Willbanks of spring, TX. He was preceded in death by his son Gregory Owen Willbanks.

K.D. was born October 16, 1917 on a farm and ranch between Blum and Covington in Hill County, Texas to Dote and Katie Glasgow Willbanks. After graduation from Blum High School in 1937, he went to Dallas where he attended business school and worked until he joined Army Air Corps in 1943.

K.D. served his country during WWII first assigned to a B-25 antisubmarine squadron based in Tampa, Florida. His outfit was sent to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and flew antisubmarine patrol over the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. He was later stationed at Guantanamo Bay with the Navy to fly patrol out of Cuba. A new posting took him to Saipan to participate in the air campaign over Japan. He was discharged from the service on October 31, 1945.

K.D. went to work as a clerk in the personnel department of Dow Chemical on November 29, 1945, and advanced to Personnel Administrator. He retired from Dow in 1981 after 35 years of enjoyable service. Many people in the Brazosport area remember K.D. Willbanks as the man who hired them to work at the plant.

K.D. was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be missed greatly by his family.

The funeral service for KD will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Funeral Chapel, 98 N. Dixie Drive in Lake Jackson, TX.

Final arrangements by the Turner Family at the Lakewood Funeral Chapel.

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