William Nathan Tackitt, Sr.

William Nathan Tackitt Sr., age 89, of the Smith Bend Community, passed away late Saturday night, August 11, 2012 at Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Marvin Donnell officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the Dyess Air Force Base Honor Guard. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Nathan was born July 30, 1923 in Lometa, the son of Samuel L. and Hallie (Cravy) Tackitt. He attended schools in Wortham and Mills City. On June 12, 1943 he was united in marriage to Betty Ruth Bartlett in Enid, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on December 1, 2006. Nathan served his country with the United States Air Force in the 3rd Air Rescue Squad during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. While in the service he attended technical intelligence school and fought with the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in Okinawa. He retired with over 29 years of service, at the rank of Master Sergeant in 1969. He then became a supervisor for Huck Manufacturing in Waco for over 10 years, before retiring again in 1983. He was a member of the Smith Bend Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association and the Civilian Conservation Corp, where he helped build parks in the Grand Canyon. He helped to open the Vance Air Force Base and they honor him on his birthday each year since he turned 80, by naming it "William Tackitt Day". Nathan is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, R.C. Tackitt; and three sisters, Johnnie Tackitt, Mattie Day Craig, and Margaret Benton. Survivors include three sons, Bill Tackitt Jr. and wife Bonnie of Elm Mott, Michael Tackitt and Lloyd Tackitt and wife Susan, all of Smith Bend; a daughter, Barbara VanEllen of Smith Bend; an adopted daughter, Mickey Bowen of Smith Bend; three sisters, Sammie Strunk, Anna Joe Murray and Ellen Watson; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Tackitt of Wortham; nine grandchildren, Tonya Nunn, Shannon Tackitt, Ryan Tackitt and wife Clara, Misty Hackman and husband Elliott, Dawn Taylor and husband Donald, David Patterson, Joshua Tackitt, Bobby Patterson and wife Crystal, and Cori Fisher and husband Tony; great grandchildren, Bryan, Blake, Britny, Micah, Cody, Trevor, Chad, Kathleen, Chris, Connor, Colin, Liam, Michael, Cade, Jade, and Jewel; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.