William R. Howdeshell, 37, Sgt.-US Army-Active Duty of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away on July 26, 2007 in Saglawiyah, Iraq as a result of a road side IED explosion that also killed his crewmembers Jaime Rodriguez Jr. and Charles E. Bilrey.
Sgt. Howdeshell was a native of Springfield, IL and a local St. Petersburg, FL resident for the past few months, when he moved his family here from Ft. Stewart, GA while he served our nation in Iraq. Sgt. Howdeshell was a Christian; a US Army Calvary Scout and a Humvee Commander. Before joining the US Army, Sgt Howdeshell also served a 6 year tour of duty in the US Navy. Sgt. Howdeshell military decorations include a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
He is survived by is wife, Kimberly and son, Robert Howdeshell of St. Petersburg, FL; father, Michael Howdeshell of Springfield, IL; his mother, Elaine Clausen and step-father, James of Texarkana, TX; two brothers: Nicholas Mrdalj and sister-in law, Christina of St. Petersburg, FL and a brother, Matthew Clausen of Texarkana, TX.
The family will receive friends at Harvest Temple Church, 13301 Walsingham Road, Largo, FL on Monday evening, August 6, 2007 from 6:00 till 8:00 PM. A full military service will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday morning, August 7, 2007 at Harvest Temple Church will full military honors by the US Army Ft. Stewart Military Honors Funeral Team. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
Visit or web site @ veteransfuneralcare.com for additional details and on line condolences. VETERANS FUNERAL CARE-727-467-0922.
It has been my honor as a reitired US Air Force man that served 32 years in service to our country to now serve you as your funeral director. My thoughts and prayers of my family and myself are with you. CHIEF PLATTS-USAF-RETIRED
Our prayers are with you family. We lost our soldier 21 June 2007 in Afghanistan. We so appreciate Sgt Howdeshell giving the ultimate sacrifice for others. May you come to accept the gift that he gave to all of us.
We are so sorry. Please accept our
condolences. Thank you Howdeshell family for serving your nation.
Lou and Jan Zabel. Blue Star mom
Bill was my nephew, and although I will not be able to attend the services, know that I am there in spirit, I am very proud of him for what he did, who was was and for the courage to face danger each and every day, I’ll miss him, but we’ll see him again someday.
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss and my appreciation as an American for this fine young man’s dedication and ultimate sacrifice.
A Navy man’s gramma
Kym and Robert, My heart is heavy and sad with our loss, but I am so proud of Bill – he stood for what he believed in and stood and died for our country so we can continue to live in freedom. He is truly a hero. I am proud to be his mother-in-law.
I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF THIS HERO. PLEASE ACCEPT MY SINCERE CONDOELENCES. I RECENTLY LOST MY SON IN AFGHANISTAN, I FEEL THE PAIN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH. REMEMBER ALL OF THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES YOU HAVE WITH THIS WONDERFUL MAN, MAY YOU REST IN GODS ARMS WILLIAM . OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALWAYS !!! GOD BE WITH ALL OF YOU AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. PROUD MOM OF STAFF SGT MICHAEL THOMAS.
Though it’s of no consolation, your loved one is a hero, and I truely appreciate everything he has done for our country. I am so sorry he is gone, but remember that he died a hero.
God Bless you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family as you deal with this painful loss.
I am so sorry to hear about Anghmar dying in Iraq. I have rp’d with him for many many years and I will miss him so much. He was one of my favorites. He was a great tease, alot of fun to rp with. ~Brannie
I also know BillAnghmar thru dragonrealms. He was a sincere person and it showed in game. He was espcially patient when my 10 yr old son played in game, and I was always grateful for that. Our thoughts and prayers to his his wife and family.
RobRoboson and BrianRioky
I am so very sorry for you lose. I want to thank you and your family. Bill must have been a very brave and wonderful person and a hero. My condolences
Thank Howdy for making the biggest sacrifice. You truly are a hero. My condolences to your family and loved ones. God Bless
I remember tossing a few back with the man on my first deployment. HC-2 DET-1 2002. we had some good time on that deployment and he was always right there with us. always making fun or each other and horse playing on the flight line. he was a good friend to have and i know he was proud to go blue to green. he wouldnt stop telling me how he was going to be a scout.
RIP brother.
Godspeed Lil Bill. I wish you had stayed with us in the Navy. Chief Mac. HC-2 Fleet Angels
Bill and I went up through the ranks our first years in the Navy. We were roommates for awhile but most of all friends. My heart goes out to his family. Rest in peace “old man”, you will be missed!
sorry for your loss may god bless and be with you
To the howdeshel family. I am Very sorry for your loss. Howdy was a great friend and an absolute pleasure to work with, and to deploy with. he will be greatly missed.
With fond memories and a proud heart he will always be remembered.
Steve Seamans
AVCM AWNAC
USN Ret
I am so sorry for your loss. God bless.
I can not tell you how sorry I am to hear of Howdy’s passing. I too was on Det with him HC-1 Det-1 in 2002. It was a true honor to have served with and to have known him. He was a hard worker who was dedicated to everything he did. I was the oldest guy on Det and Howdy made sure that I always knew how old I was in a kind way. A keen sense of humor and a smile always met me when I would say “Howdy Doody”. Howdy you will be missed by many. My condolences goes out to the family.
Roy D. Edwards
ATCAWNACRet
I am a friend of WilliamAnghmar through DragonRealms. I very much respected him and his choice of Military career. He knew me before I enlisted in the Army and we talked about the Military life often. It was an honor to talk to him as a friend, I would have loved to talk to him as a Soldier. If anyone of William’s family wouldn’t mind contacting me, I would be honored to display his picture on my family’s memorial wall in our sitting room in his memory.
R.I.P friend.
My condolences. Thank you for your service.
Billy,
I’ll always remember the times we spent playing down at the river.
I’m thankful I have those childhood memories because when I think of you that is what I see.
I know the military was the life you always longed for and when it became a reality I was happy for you.
I know it is soldiers like you who propel this country forward. Thank you for the memories and your service to this great nation.
Hi Bill, This is your Aunt Regina, I am so proud of you and what you did and sacrificed for our country, I will be forever greatful for the ultimate sacrifice that you and your team mates gave. I’ll see you . Love you always
Aunt Regina