Paul Maxfield Norris Sr.

Paul Maxfield Norris Sr., USAF, Ret., of Oxford Paul Maxfield Norris, Sr., 89, of Oxford, formerly of West Chester, passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. He was the beloved husband of Winifred Payne Norris (known as Wyn), his wife of 65 years. He was also the devoted father of Leslie Norris Rindone (Gary), Paul Maxfield Norris, Jr. and Franklyn Payne Norris (Sharon); and loving grandfather to his seven grandchildren, Laura, Emily, Maxfield, Keagan, Payne, Daniel and Grace; and his great-grandson, Gabriel. Paul was the son of Ben C. and Emma Morgan Norris of New Milford, Pa. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Charles Morgan Norris, Sr. He is also survived by his sister, Janet N. Williams; and his brothers, David C. Norris and Ralph B. Norris. Paul was a graduate of New Milford High School, Keystone Junior College, the United States Military Academy at West Point and the George Washington University Law School. He graduated from West Point on June 4, 1946 with a degree in civil engineering and married Wyn the next day in the West Point Chapel. Already a pilot, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps prior to the formation of the United States Air Force. After being stationed at several air bases in the U.S., including flying test planes on the Arizona desert, Paul was stationed at the Tachikawa Air Base in Japan where he flew transport planes to the Philippines and hospital planes to Korea during the Korean War. Upon returning to the U.S., Paul attended law school while working with the ROTC program at the University of Maryland, taught constitutional law at West Point and then served as a Judge Advocate General, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His military career also included a hardship tour of duty in Thule, Greenland and an assignment to the Pentagon. After his retirement from the Air Force, Paul worked as a trust officer in West Chester area banks. Paul was an accomplished clarinetist and sang bass in many choirs during his lifetime. He was an avid reader and gardener. He was an active member of the Baptist Church of West Chester for more than 40 years, serving as deacon and trustee. As the patriarch and role model of his family, he leaves behind a legacy of generosity, kindness, service and quiet faith. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at the Baptist Church of West Chester, 221 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19382. His remains will be placed in the West Point Mausoleum at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be made to the Baptist Church of West Chester Memorial Fund at the above address. Arrangements are being handled by the Founds Funeral Home, Inc., West Chester, 610-696-0134. Online condolences may be made at www.foundsfuneralhome.com.