Godwin, William “Billy Wayne” (RIP)

Terminal Texas Memory

What's in the Water1 Comment

Click below to listen to “No Particular Place to Go” by Chuck Berry. Listen while you read!

By William Godwin

I remember when the Terminal kids came to Alamo. I met John McElligott and Gene Clark. We became fast friends. I went to Terminal all the time to visit them. Many treats including eating John’s Mother’s cooking, taking showers in the high showers with six or eight heads, and stopping up the drains in the shower. It almost became a swimming pool! We went into all the tunnels under the runways. It was a great time!

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

The Police Siren

What's in the WaterLeave a comment

Written by William “WG” Godwin

(Click below to listen to “No Particular Place To Go” by Chuck Berry

I remember when the Terminal kids came to Alamo. I met John Mc and Gene Clark. We became fast friends. I went to Terminal all the time to visit them. Many treats  eating John’s Mother’s cooking, taking showers in the high showers with 6 or eight heads, stopping up the drains in the shower. It almost became a swimming pool.  We went into all the tunnels under the runways. It was a great time

Later in high school ( MHS ) the three of us acquired a police siren  ( where we got it will remain with John and me ). We had to put it up against the back tire for it to work .  Gene had a four door Oldsmobile.  Gene would drive, John would lay down in the back seat holding the siren on the tire while held on to his feet to keep him in the car .  We drove in front of MHS and all over Midland, cars pulling over,  everyone in town looking .  It was much more effective at night . That lasted about a week or so. At that point it seems the owner of the siren wanted it back . End of a wonderful week or so.  I wish I had it when I go to Dallas .

Billy Wayne Godwin (RIP)

What's in the Water3 Comments

By John McElligott

It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of Bill Godwin (AKA Billy Wayne Godwin or W.G.). Billy Wayne passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, January 11, 2023 after a brief illness. Billy Wayne was one of my best friends and we shared many adventures throughout the years. I first met him at Alamo Junior High and we became fast friends. I am thankful to have spent some time with him recently at the 1963 Class Reunion held Oct 7th in Midland, Texas. Any time spent with WG was guaranteed to involve a good story and plenty of laughter. There was no one else like him and he will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace.

While this story has been shared before, it is worth reading again.

The Police Siren:

In high school ( MHS ) Billy Wayne Godwin, Gene Clark and John McElligott acquired a police siren  ( where we got it will remain with John and WG ). We had to put it up against the back tire for it to work .  Gene had a four door Oldsmobile.  Gene would drive, John would lay down in the back seat holding the siren on the tire while WG held on to his feet to keep him in the car .  We drove in front of MHS and all over Midland, cars pulling over,  everyone in town looking .  It was much more effective at night . That lasted about a week or so. At that point it seems the owner of the siren wanted it back . End of a wonderful week or so.  I wish I had it when I go to Dallas.

click here to read more

William “Billy Wayne” Godwin (RIP)-Obituary

What's in the WaterLeave a comment

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 for William Wayne Godwin who passed away Jan. 11, 2023 after a major stroke followed by a short illness. He was hospitalized for two weeks before returning home with the help of Hospice. His struggle ended early the next day.

He was known affectionately as Billy Wayne, Bill, W.G., Wild Bill, The Rev, but he was most proud to be called Umbi, which is what his grandchildren call him.

Born to Mary Dimple Aiken and John Franklin Godwin, Nov. 11, 1943 in Midland, Texas, he graduated from Lee High School in Midland and then attended the University of Toronto in Canada. He returned to Midland before graduating to join the U.S. Air Force from which he received a medical discharge after weaknesses were discovered in his knee, a result from high school football injuries.

Married Joyce Marie Montry Godwin in 1990 and they made their home in Van Alstyne, Texas.

click here to read more

Glory Days

What's in the Water2 Comments

Notes:

 Great time wish we could do it again!

This is the trip that Bill Sallee spiked Joe Hurley‘s drink. Joe immediately or shortly there after disappeared.

WG and John McElligott were ordered to catch crabs and make crab cakes. There were no crabs to catch, so they went and bought some at the store. They told everyone that they were out fishing all day and caught the crabs. They have never told the gang that the crab cakes were made with store-bought crabs. All of the fishing team raved about the crab cakes and Billy Godwin and John McElligott just sat back and laughed and of course drank more tequila.

John Franklin was there and for the first time ever we noticed that he was losing his mobility and hearing. Harry Miller was asked to check him out but Harry was deaf and febrile, too, so it didn’t work out.

Anyway everyone at the fishing extravaganza can now fill in the blanks of what turned out to be a very low level catch if the memory is correct. But, a lot of fun.

From Vietnam to saving truckers… one prayer at a time. He showed me the Power of Prayer. Just ask WG!

What's in the Water1 Comment

Written by John McElligott

Click the arrow to listen to “The Truck Song” by Lyle Lovett

I am known to truckers across the country as “Dr. John”. I always admired, and was at many of the Truck Stops  with my medical clinics (PDMD) where Chaplain Joe’s Chapels were also located. Often we were next to each other. Truck Stops of America (TA/Petro) supported both our causes. Bill Godwin (WG) was the brainchild for my PDMD (Professional Drivers Medical Depot). WG was a trucker before he became a Minister. Too bad Billy Wayne and Chaplin Joe never met since they could have started the Billy and Joe Chapels. 

Click Here to Read more