Thomas W. Bever

Thomas Wayne Bever, Sr., 88, died Sunday, November 4, 2007 at Hendrick Medical Center, with his children by his side. He was born August 18, 1919 in New Salem, Indiana to Ozro and Stella Humes Bever. He grew up in Indiana, graduating from New Salem High School in 1937. He was drafted into the United States Army on March 29, 1941, and came to Texas as a young soldier. In Abilene, he met and married Wilma Lane Bever on November 27, 1942. She preceded him in death on April 10, 2001. They were married 58 years. His heart broke the day she died. Thomas served in the 131st Medical Battalion. He watched the D-Day invasion from his ship and then landed in Omaha Beach two days later. He helped to liberate Allied POWs in Germany. Thomas also fought in the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944. He had several encounters with Gen. George Patton and always recalled him as the greatest General of all. He was honorably discharged on September 1, 1945. Upon his return to his family in Abilene, he worked for the Crosby Corp. and Thornton's. He owned and operated Abilene Carpet and Furniture Cleaners and Abilene Pest Control for over 50 years. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #559. He and Wilma loved traveling. The lights of their lives were their grandchildren. They were boosters of Cooper High School and Thomas was affectionately known as Gaggy, not only by his grandchildren, but by all their friends, as well. Thomas was a longtime member of South Side Baptist Church. His wife, parents, three sisters, and seven brothers preceded Thomas in death. His son, Tommy and wife Gwen, of Belton; his daughter, Martha Forman and husband Bobby, of Abilene, survive him; along with his brother, Richard Bever, of Brady, and sister-in-law, Verna Marie Garner, of Abilene. Survivors also include his grandchildren, Carrie Camille Bever McBride and husband Darren, of Dallas, Tiffany Ann Bever McCelvey of Houston, Chad Robert Forman of Houston, and Scott Thomas Forman of Abilene, along with great-grandchildren, Madison Lane McBride of Dallas, and Chase McCelvey of Houston. Graveside services will be at 11:00 am Tuesday at Elmwood Memorial Park, under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Pallbearers will be Chad Forman, Scott Forman, Darren McBride, Gary Garner, Chris Garner, and Johnny Boggs. Mr. Bever's family would like to extend their deepest thanks to Dr. Robert Striegler and the wonderful nurses who cared for him during his stay at Hendrick Medical Center. They are definitely perceived as angels by his family. Memorials may be made in his honor to the Ben Richey Boy's Ranch, 501 Ben Richey Drive, Abilene, Texas 79602. He always believed in and appreciated their mission.