Cecil Lee Birdwell, 86, passed away in peace Sunday Jan. 16, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family and friends. Funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, at First Baptist Church Graham. Burial will follow in Red Top Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Cecil was born Jan. 10, 1936, in Young County to the late Rose and Carl Birdwell. He attended school in Graham, Texas and was a member of the First Baptist Church. Cecil served in the Army from 1958 to 1960. He worked in the oilfield for a time and then at Hexcel Corporation for 30 years and made many lifelong friends. Cecil was also a rancher and loved to hunt, fish and watch sporting events. He told many stories of his hunting and fishing trips. But his true love was his wife and family. He married Mary Carol Jackson on Dec. 26, 1958, in Graham, and together they raised three children.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Mary Birdwell; children: Beverly and husband Charlie Hipp; Glenda and husband Kevin Barnett; Michael and wife Shelley Birdwell; grandchildren, Dean Lowe, Jaicee Mathis, Morgan Mathis, Cody Smith, Brooke McNamara, Clay Barnett, Tara Janota, Cameron Janota and Calee Birdwell, and 25 great grandchildren; sister, Fannie Thetford; brothers, Emmett and Connor Birdwell.

The family wishes to thank Beyond Faith Home Health and Hospice, Seniorly Yours and First Baptist Church for help and support with our physical and spiritual needs.

Visitation was Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home.