Norman Niswonger

KILLEEN, Texas -- Norman Gene Niswonger was born Aug. 10, 1937, in Cape Girardeau, one of 11 children born to Alvin Niswonger and Elizabeth Miller Niswonger. After battling kidney failure for over a year, Norman died peacefully in the arms of Our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016.

He loved the Lord and carried Psalm 91 with him to Vietnam. Norman served many positions in the church, including deacon and usher.

Norman served his country as an Army soldier for over 20 years before retiring with the rank of staff sergeant. During his time in the Army, his tours of duty included Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Benning, Georgia; Vietnam; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Germany; and, finally, Fort Hood, Texas. While in Vietnam, Norman had the distinct honor of being the military escort for Gen. William Westmoreland.

Norman was an avid bowler and bingo player while stationed in Germany. He loved to sell cars and was part owner of Uptown Motors and Excel Motors. He was called "Storming Norman" and was known for selling cars within five minutes, but never without first making sure they were safe for a family to drive.

Norman loved cars, but Mustangs, Camaros and El Caminos were his favorites. He would buy cars, fix them, paint them and then try to keep them.

Norman purchased a Ford for $10 from a soldier and made it into a race car. He raced that old Ford every Saturday night while stationed in Fort Sill. When he was the driver, they won. But when his mechanic drove, they lost.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents and all 10 of his siblings.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carla Jean Niswonger, and their four children, Sharon Niswonger, Steven (Tammy) Niswonger, Scott (April) Niswonger and Tamara (Ray) Vaughn. He also will be missed by six grandchildren, Shawn Ward, Christopher (Nicole) Niswonger, Sydnee Niswonger, Jordanna Porter, Conner Niswonger and Cooper Niswonger, and two great-grandchildren, Oakley and Annaleigh Niswonger.

The Niswonger family will receive guests for visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Killeen.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to the building fund at Bethel Church, P.O. Box 952, Killeen, TX 76540.

You may share condolences with the Niswonger family by visiting crawfordbowers.org.