David Alvin Bedford

David (Grandad) Bedford entered heaven on Friday evening. A celebration service for his life will be held on Monday afternoon at First United Methodist Church, 1318 South 2nd, Abilene, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. David Black officiating. David Alvin Bedford was born on September 3, 1930, in Winters, Texas. He was the last child born to father Fred D. Bedford and mother Cordelia Louise Thomasson Bedford. He graduated from Winters High School. He married the love of his life, Betty Jean Graham, on December 24, 1948. David worked briefly for Lone Star Buick in Abilene. Soon after, he and Betty moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where David worked for Tom's Roasted Peanuts. After the birth of a daughter, they returned to Texas, settling in Abilene. He worked for Callahan Interest, Inc., for a number of years. During this time, his family grew with the arrival of four more children. Eventually, he began his own oil service company as an independent oil producer, DAB Oil Service. He was an active member of the West Central Texas Oil & Gas Assn., and he continued his involvement in the oil industry until his death. He dearly loved barbershop quartet music, and he was active in the SPEBSQSA, also serving as a past president of that organization. Most important to Grandad Bedford was his church family at First United Methodist Church. He served as usher and greeter for many years, and he had the joy of seeing many of his children and grandchildren baptized and married there. Grandad Bedford was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Gladden, Barney, Marvin, Fred, Jr., Wayne and Boyd Bedford, and his sisters Lola Mae Eiland, Novelle Mostad, and Norma Kendrick. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean, and sons and spouses, Alvin (David Alvin Bedford, Jr.) and Cynthia Bedford of Tulsa, OK, and (Austin) Jay and Terri Bedford of Royce City, TX; daughters and spouses Stephany and Douglas Stenberg of Albany, Texas; Laura and John Caddell of Watauga, TX, and Fredda and Kelly Rosenbaum of Abilene. His fourteen grandchildren include: David Alvin Bedford III (Trey), Brian Bedford and Daniel Bedford; Austin Bedford, Stephens Bedford and Beau Bedford; Christy Bagley, Anna McCaslin, Charity Bryant and John Stenberg; Kristal McRay and Kristine Soley; and Lee Rosenbaum and Ada Warren. He also has fourteen great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn and David Alvin Bedford, IV; Isabelle and Timothy Bedford; Paxton and Cannon Bagley; Zachary and Aubrey McCaslin; Trinity and Hanna Bryant; Tyler and Paytlin Weaver, and Mikayla and Cody Soley. He is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces, along with great-nephews and great-nieces. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday Night, June 10th, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church of Abilene Building Fund, 202 Butternut St., Abilene, TX 79602 or to the charity of your choice.