Edwin James Armstrong, Sr.

Edwin James Armstrong, of Groesbeck, passed away surrounded by his family, on Wednesday November 24, 2010, at Limestone Medical Center. Visitation will be Friday November 26, 2010, from 6-8 PM, at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 11:00 AM, at Word of Life Church, with Pastor Randy Ayres officiating. Burial will follow at Hogan Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons; the great grandsons and great-great grandsons will be honorary pallbearers. Ed was born to T.C. Armstrong and Eula (Thompson) Armstrong on May 29, 1925, in Groesbeck. He joined the U. S. Coast Guard/Navy at age 17; during World War II, from 1943 through 1945, and served in the Pacific. After his military service, he became reacquainted with Dorothy Williams, who he had known as a child, and they were married in Waco, on August 10, 1946. They lived a few years in Waco while he worked at James Connally Air Force Base, and then worked in construction. He then went into business for himself in Waco - Armstrong Steel Erections. He moved his family and the business back to Rocky Point (between Box Church and Old Union) where he spent the rest of his life. He erected metal buildings, including many K-Mart stores in Texas and Oklahoma, East Gate Shopping Center in Bellmead, Fair Gate Shopping Center in Waco, Living Word Church in Groesbeck, and Groesbeck Christian Fellowship Church. He employed a large number of people during his career, including his sons-in-law and grandsons, who were taught welding and the construction business at his hands. He also raised crops in the sandy soil at Rocky Point, and spent many happy hours playing music. He was raised up with music in the home, and his father played in the Bob Wills Texas Playboys Band, having grown up with Bob. Ed played for his family and friends at home and other places, playing the guitar, with Uncle Bill Massey also on guitar, Grady Armstrong on guitar and fiddle, daughter Margaret on the piano, and son Eddie on the drums. He made sure all the daughters had piano lessons. The whole family loves music, the daughters all sing, his granddaughter Stacy Ayers Duffield is a popular local singer, and grandsons, James Ellison plays bass and Randy Ayres, Jr. plays drums. Ed had a large family to love; he called Margaret his cook, Sharon his yardman, Linda his ornament, Eddie his bicycle rider, and had a special name for everyone else. He loved his church and his church family and he thought he had the best pastor in the world. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, T.C. and Eula Armstrong; two sisters, Aileen Baleman and Lois White; and a son, Edwin Ray (twin brother of Sharon). Mr. Armstrong is survived by his wife, Dorothy Armstrong of Groesbeck; daughters, Margaret Ann Jackson of Groesbeck, Sharon Ellison and husband Ronnie of Groesbeck, and Linda Ayres and husband Randy of Groesbeck; son, Eddie Armstrong and wife Kathy of Groesbeck. The eight grandchildren (and spouses) are: Gary Don Jackson of Groesbeck, Vicki Whitlock of Waco, Brian Ellison and wife Tamara of Groesbeck, James Ellison and wife Haley of Groesbeck, Jeffrey Jackson and wife Jennifer of Lorena, Stacy Duffield and husband Jerod of Groesbeck, Randy Ayres, Jr. and wife Tara of Oakwood, and Travis Cade Armstrong and wife Stephanie of Beaumont. There are also nineteen great grandchildren (and spouses) : Amber Spinner and husband Mark of Liberty Hill, Nikki Dorcey and husband Michael of Waco, Kyle Ellison of Groesbeck, Nick Ellison of Gilbert, AZ., Cameron Ellison of Groesbeck, Dillan King of Groesbeck, Sidney Duffield of Groesbeck, Selby Jackson of Lorena, Riley Ayres of Oakwood, Cooper Ayres of Oakwood, Tanner Ellison of Groesbeck, Brayden McClean of Groesbeck, Zachary Ellison of Groesbeck, Raegan Ellison of Groesbeck, Emily Ellison of Groesbeck, Parker Ayres of Oakwood, Stephen Szanto of Waco, Delayna Jackson of Lorena, and Geoffry Whitlock of Waco. The three great-great children are: Peyton Spinner of Liberty Hill, Taylor Dorcey of Waco, and Aaron Dorcey of Waco. He is also survived by his brother, Grady Armstrong and wife Virginia of Riesel; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.