Memorials › Luther B Bitner
Luther B Bitner
21 Mar 1917 – 27 Feb 2010
| Birth | 21 Mar 1917 |
| Death | 27 Feb 2010 |
| Cemetery | Sunset Memorial Gardens Odessa , Ector County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | LADONNA GREER COLLETT on 15 Mar 2015 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48949471 |
Bio
Luther Bitner slipped into his heavenly father's hands Feb. 27 at the age of 92. Luther was born on March 21, 1917, to Burse and Myrtie Bitner in Lovelady, Texas. In October of 1939, Luther came to Odessa and went to work at Sunshine Iron Works as a bookkeeper. In 1940, the love of his life Oneta Lewis came to Odessa to teach school. The two met soon after her arrival and were married on June 17, 1942. On Oct. 17, 1942, four months after they married, Luther enlisted in the Air Force and went to work in the Bombardier School at San Angelo, Texas. Oneta remained in Odessa and continued to teach school. Luther was in San Angelo until late 1945 when he was then sent to Fort McPherson in Georgia to work in the Separation Department. He continued his Air Force duties in Georgia until his discharge in 1946. Upon Luther's return to Odessa, he and Oneta purchased the land at 20th and Washington (the last paved block of town at the time) and built their first home. Luther went back to work at Sunshine Iron Works as the manager. While working at Sunshine Iron Works Luther formed SIW Pipe and Supply. In 1968, he left Sunshine Iron Works to operate SIW Pipe and Supply, where he devoted all of his work time, until retiring in 1985. After his retirement, he devoted his time to taking care of oil properties and family interests. Luther and Oneta enjoyed many years of traveling and seeing all parts of the world, meeting and making many new friends along the way. After Luther's retirement, he and Oneta purchased a cottage at the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Retirement Village. He served as chairperson on their advisory board, was instrumental in helping raise funds to build the Solarium and upgrading the sprinkler and watering system. Sears Methodist purchased the retirement facility, which is now called Parks Methodist Retirement Village. After Sears Methodist purchased the retirement village, Luther built a home there where he and Oneta lived until Oneta's health declined to the point where it was necessary for them to move to the Assisted Living Facility. This was his home until his death. Luther was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, his parents and only sister Pearl Whitfield. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church. Luther is survived by his very special cousins that were his adopted "children" and family, and special friends as well as other family and friends. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 2, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Reverends Randy Kendrix, Donnie Williams and Curtis Brewer officiating. A celebration of Luther's life will follow at 2 p.m. in the Plaza Building at Parks Methodist Retirement Village. The family suggests memorials be made to Parks Methodist Retirement Village, First Baptist Church or Home Hospice. Special thanks to Parks Methodist, Irma Eilenberger, Home Hospice and all of the other wonderful ladies who came and helped with Luther's care from Comfort Keepers. Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Home.
Inscription
S SGT US Army Air Force WW II
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