W.L. Lewellyn

W.L. "Lew" Lewellyn, of Hoover, passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at age 95. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Gene, and four of his five children: Gwendellyn (Joe) Lewellyn McLean; George (Brenda) Lewellyn; Robert (Joan) Lewellyn; and Chad (Cassandra) Lewellyn. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Leslie Lewellyn.

Lew was born in Itasca, Texas. His father, George, died when Lew was eight years old. His mother, Mattie, raised him and his four siblings. He began college, but left to join the Army Air Force to serve in WWII. He was a navigator in the European theater. After the war, he married Gene, worked as a small town grocer, and served as the mayor of Arcola, Mississippi. After Lew was recalled from the reserves to serve in the Korean War, he remained in the Air Force for 30 years until his retirement as a Lt. Colonel. During his military career, he worked in several career fields, including navigator, air traffic controller, and communications and electronics specialist. He had assignments at Strategic Air Command bases in Louisiana and Michigan. He served all over the world, including a post to NATO in Naples, Italy, where he taught at the War College. After his retirement, from the USAF, he was a small businessman and a rural mail carrier. Lew deeply loved God, family, and his country. He was humble and unselfish in his devotion and care for his chronically ill wife. He was famous for walking about four miles a day around the Galleria Woods complex while listening to music on his iPad. He did this right up until about a month before he passed. He enjoyed watching college football, especially the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Lew was also an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves.

Lew was much loved and admired by his family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him well.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jimmie Hale Mission.

Visitation

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ,Thursday, May 18, 2017
Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home Chapel
2701 John Hawkins Parkway Hoover, AL 35244

Funeral Service

1:00 PM ,Thursday, May 18, 2017
Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home Chapel
2701 John Hawkins Parkway Hoover, AL 35244

Graveside

2:45 PM ,Thursday, May 18, 2017
Alabama National Cemetery
3133 Hwy 119 Montevallo, AL 35115