William Cannell

William David Cannell, 80, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, Aug. 25, 2006, at The Lutheran Home.

He was born April 7, 1926, at Poplar Bluff, Mo., son of Clarence and Birdie Parker Cannell. He and Evangeline Bakken were married Aug. 14, 1946, in Kasson, Minn.

William was inducted into the U.S. Navy in 1944, where he served in World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946.

He received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and physics from Washington University in St. Louis, and a master's degree in astronomy from the University of Virginia.

William worked for the U.S. Department of Defense 41 years, mapping the moon and Mars.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Timothy and Marian Cannell of Chapel Hill, N.C., Curtis and Pamela Cannell of Fort Worth, Texas; a daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and David Jordan of Cape Girardeau; seven grandchildren, Colin, Evan, Rowan and Brendan Cannell of Chapel Hill, Stephanie Jordan of Colorado Springs, Colo., Monica Jordan of Cape Girardeau, and Garrett Cannell of Fort Worth; and a half sister, Clara Trull of Mabank, Texas.

Friends may call Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Inurnment will follow at a later date in Dexter, Minn.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Friends of Lowell Observatory, 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, Ariz., 86001, or the Alzheimer's Association, 9374 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, Mo., 63132-3214.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome. com.