GENERAL EDWIN F. WENGLAR

   FRANCITAS - Brigadier General Edwin F. Wenglar, USAF Ret., of Francitas, "slipped the surly bonds of earth" due to congestive heart failure on Aug. 5, 2011, surrounded by his family.
   Gen. Wenglar is survived by his wife, Virginia R. "Ginger" Wenglar, Francitas; his daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Dalton Skinner of Katy, Barbara and Richard Huggins of Tyler, Mollye and Brett Williams of Fredricksburg, JoAnne Estopinal of Francitas; and his son, Mike and Lisa Wenglar of Pearland. In addition, he leaves 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
   Gen. Wenglar was born Jan. 1, 1923, in El Campo, the son of Joseph and Amelia Wenglar. He is the last of his own family to enter into eternal rest, having been preceded in death by his parents as well as six brothers and three sisters. Also preceding him was his first wife, Margie; daughter, Lucille DuRant; and grandson, Christopher Presley.
   With an enduring interest in flying and planes, at age 18 he served as a mechanic in the Army Air Corps when the service branch (later to become the Air Force) made an offer he could not refuse. Additional pilots were needed to fly not only combat missions but also transport missions for the war effort. This unique band of pilots was called "Sergeant Pilots," enlisted men who would be trained to fly. Gen.Wenglar said of it: "…we would gladly have stayed privates forever just to have the chance to fly."
   He served overseas during World War II from November 1942 through July 1944, being appointed to Brigadier General in April 1973. Throughout his military career, he accumulated approximately 8,000 flying hours and flew to many different locations around the globe. Gen. Wenglar's numerous awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit.
   Following the war, Gen. Wenglar continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve while also flying for Schlumberger, Ltd, eventually becoming Chief of Aviation. This position added another 14,000 hours of flight time.
   Gen. Wenglar retired in 1983 and moved to his farm in Francitas. In honor of his first wife and daughter, Gen. Wenglar has established several endowed scholarships for graduates of El Campo High School.
   Pallbearers include Danny Skinner, Sy Skinner, Shawn Watkins, 2nd Lt. Benjamin Williams, USAF, Caleb Wenglar; Justin Estopinal, Warren Lowery, and Blake Lowery. Honorary pallbearers: Carroll Shelby, Col. Elwood Paradowski; CCMSgt. Stephen Page, Col. Herman Page, M/Gen John Hoff, LTC Curtis Everett, SMSgt. James M. Rogers, USAF, MSgt. William Chivalet, and M/Gen Charles Yeager.
   The legacy of this larger-than-life man, patriot, husband, father, pilot, philanthropist, and generous friend is that our lives might be lived to the fullest, true to American ideals and values, passed on from generation to generation.
   Visitation will be held at Wheeler Funeral Home, El Campo, Texas from 6 - 8 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 7, with the funeral following at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 8, at First Baptist Church, El Campo and internment at Garden of Memories, El Campo.
   In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in General Wenglar's name may be made to the Vernon Burge Memorial Fund honoring the memory of all Enlisted Pilots c/o Commercial State Bank, 401 Mechanic St, El Campo, Texas 77437-4421.