Francis Groessel 1953-2015

Funeral services for Francis “Sonny” Groessel Jr., 61, of Terrell, were held Monday, June 1, 2015 at the Wills Point Church of Christ with Bro. Eugene Edens officiating. 

Interment followed at Neill and Harris Cemetery in Terrell under the direction of Allan Fuller Funeral Home in Wills Point. 

He passed away early Thursday morning, May 28, 2015, at his residence in Terrell.

Sonny was born Oct. 19, 1953, in El Paso, the son of Francis William Groessel, Sr. and Alice Katherine Turner Groessel.  He was raised in El Paso and Terrell, where he has lived most of his life. 

In 1972, he graduated from Tornillo High School.  On Dec. 6, 1978, he married Beverly Harris.  Sonny was employed by the City of Terrell as Utilities Director, retiring in March 2015, after 42 years of dedicated service.  He enjoyed playing chess, fishing, camping and collecting silver and coins.  Sonny loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.  Sonny was a board member of Elmo Water Supply.

He is preceded in death by his dad, Francis William Groessel Sr.; two brothers, Mark Groessel and Terence Groessel; father-in-law, Lee Harris; and step-mother-in-law, Edith Groessel.

Sonny is survived by his wife, Beverly Harris Groessel of Terrell; mother,  Alice Durbin of Terrell; two daughters, Linda Dawn Groessel of Wills Point and Audra Gail Groessel of Terrell; eight brothers,  James Chandler Groessel Sr., of Terrell, Thomas Groessel and wife Nan, of Seagoville,       Bruce Groessel Sr. and wife, Ruth of Keene,  Herbert Groessel of Midland,  Ronald Durbin Jr. of Terrell, Daniel Durbin of Dallas, Donald Durbin of Terrell and  Jeffrey Smith of Terrell; four sisters, Katherine Bunch and husband, Terry of Terrell, Debbie Thompson and husband, Paul of Mandeville, La., Karla Hill and husband, Norman of Midland and Charlie Bannister and husband, Ricky of Wills Point; brother-in-law, Gary Harris and wife, Janice of Terrell; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Kale and husband, John of Terrell and Elizabeth Stromberg and husband, Chris of Terrell; three grandchildren, Alexis. Ethan and Christian;

mother-in-law, Linda Harris of Terrell; three uncles, Harry Groessel of El Paso, James Douglas Turner and wife, Dolly of Terrell and Jerry Turner and partner, Jim of Irving; aunt, Gail Russell of El Paso and; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Pallbearers were Daniel Durbin, Tommy Groessel, Bruce Groessel, Sr., Terry “Bubba” Bunch Jr., Jeffery Smith and Lee Wallace.

Honorary pallbearer was Glenn Caldwell.

Allan Fuller Funeral Home www.allanfullerfuneralhome.com