Edward Bender
August 18, 1931 — October 4, 2013
CMSgt Edward Lee Bender Sr., USAF, (Ret.), passed away Friday, October 4, 2013 surrounded by his family. Born August 18, 1931 in Braggs, Alabama, Ed travelled the world with the Air Force to such locations as Germany, Hawaii, Korea and Vietnam as well as many stateside bases. After serving his country for more than 30 years, Ed retired in Schertz, Texas in 1980. Ed loved gardening and cooking for his family. He enjoyed watching sports and talking about childhood in Alabama. He found the most pleasure in spending time with his children and their families. Edward Lee is survived by his three sons and four daughters; Edward Lee Bender Jr. and his wife Yolanda of Thomasville, GA; John Michael Bender and his wife Jessica of Cibolo, TX; Harlan Maxwell Bender and his wife Ayla of Cibolo, TX; Olivia Annette Matyear and husband Blake of Atascosa, TX; Tammy Lynn Whitehead and her husband David of Mansfield, TX; Lisa Nipper of Michigan City, IN and Christina Renee Hill and her husband Billy of Cibolo, TX. There are also thirteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren who will miss him very much. He is also survived by three siblings, Doyle Bender, Roy Bender and Mary Francis Quates all of Greenville, Alabama. Many nieces, nephews and cousins grieve for Edward Lee as well. His parents Addie Lee and Lucy Bender, his sister Elizabeth and brother Ellis preceded him in death. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at Schertz Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 11, 2013 at Schertz Funeral Home at 10:00AM. Edward Lee will then be laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full United States Air Force Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ed's name to the ALS Association, Texas Chapter, 8600 Wurzbach Rd., Suite 700, San Antonio, Texas 78240 or via website at www.alsa-texas.org
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