William Everett “Bill” Snyder, age 87, of Springfield, passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at his home. Funeral services will be conducted at 11am Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in the Austin & Bell Funeral Home chapel in Springfield with Bro. Randy Harmon officiating. Military Graveside services will follow at 1pm Wednesday in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, KY with Kevin Alexander, Richard Head, Charles Head, and Mike Blackburn serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 9-11am Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Snyder was born June, 28, 1935 in Chadron, NE to the late Earl Wesley and Dorothy Doris Luke Snyder. He worked on farms and joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18. While in the Army he got to travel, lived in Germany and Hawaii, and visited Hong Kong. Bill flew Chinooks in 2 tours in Vietnam, and was one of the first Air Cabs in Vietnam. He retired as a Major from the military after 20 years of service. Mr. Snyder worked over 21 years for the Federal Civil Service at Fort Campbell as an Engineer and retired from there in 1995. Bill was a man of few words, but never wanted to let anyone down, and was always an encourager. He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching westerns and Judge Judy, sitting outside with his beloved lab Blackie, eating out, especially Cracker Barrel, and being a role model (Papaw) and buddy to Ashlea, and always being the first on the street to have an immaculate mowed yard each week. Bill will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and friend. He was a devoted Christian and member of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Greenbrier.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Clara Mae Binkley Snyder; infant son, Lee Randal Snyder; son, Marshall W. Snyder; sister, Marjorie Mansfield; brothers, Earl Snyder Jr., Wesley Snyder, Marcus Snyder, and Frank Snyder; son-in-law, Donald Wheeler; and his beloved lab Blackie.
He is survived by his 3 daughters, Julie Wheeler, Vicki (Kevin) Alexander, and Bonnie (Richard) Head; 2 grandchildren, Erin (John) Massarello, and Ashlea Head; 2 great grandchildren, John Andrew Massarello, and Caroline Rose Massarello; and a sister, Goldie Sommerville.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be made to Rock Springs Baptist Church, 2155 Rock Springs Road, Greenbrier, TN 37073 www.rsbaptist.org , Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org .
Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements.
