Wardell Pliler

Wardell Pliler went home to be with the Lord Friday, June 11, 2004. He was born May 17, 1918 in the Gum Springs Community just outside of Longview, Texas. He was the third of five children of Ana Pearl Russell and Albert Pliler. When he was five years old his father died and he was raised by his beloved paternal grandparents, Maw-maw and Paw-paw Pliler. In 1939, he married Katherine Thompson and this past May they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. He leaves his wife and four children, Ronnie Pliler of Longview, Catherine Scott of Chicago, Dawana Elder of Dallas, and Patti Pliler of Waco. Grandchildren, Stacy Smocovich, Kimberly White, Courtney Pliler, Ashley Smith, Chelsea Elder, and great-grandchildren, Morgan Smocovich, Hayden Lopez, Austin Smith and Emma White. He is also survived by one sister, Almeda Ford of Hallsville and a sister-in-law, Barbara Griffin of Houston, Texas. Wardell worked at The Longview Typewriter Exchange until he entered the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was attached to the 345th Bomb Group of the Famous Air Apaches, a crack B-25 strafe unit of the 5th Air Force in the South Pacific. He was in Japan when the Japanese signed the surrender to McArthur in 1945. After Wardell came home from the war, he opened Pliler Typewriter Service in 1952 and became a very successful Longview businessman. He held memberships in the VFW and the American Legion, and a lifetime membership in Optimist International where he was past president of Longview Chapter. He was raised to a Master Mason, celebrating 50 years in Longview Lodge No. 404, Scottish Rite, and Shrine. He was past potentate of Sharon Temple. During his retirement he was devoted to his wife and family, loved to travel, and was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone and everyone in need. Wardell Pliler was a true friend to everyone who knew him and always had a cheerful word and plenty of love and encouragement for all. He was a true friend and the world will be made a little dimmer with his passing, but Heaven will be a brighter place because he's there. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday morning, June 15, 2004 in the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home Chapel in Lindale, Texas with Bro. Ray Bratcher officiating. Interment will follow Tuesday with Masonic Graveside Rites at 12:30 P.M. in the Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Longview, Texas. Serving as pallbearers will be J. B. Glaspie, Delmar Pliler, Corky Ford, Mike Buchanan, Russ Van Matre, and Brad Smith. Family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday evening at the funeral home in Lindale. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.

Wardell Pliler

May 17, 2018 - June 11, 2004