Wyatt Ashcraft passed away July 23, 2009, in Bay City, Texas.

He was born March 1, 1925, to John Woodard & Annie Mary Reinke Ashcraft in the Liveoak community as their first born child and twin to brother, Wade. With the exception of his military service, he lived his entire lifetime in Matagorda County.

Wyatt was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 47 years, Sadie Calk Ashcraft and his twenty-three year old son, Wyatt Matthew Ashcraft. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his sounding board and closest friend, twin brother Wade, his dear brother Clyde and his precious sister Grace Ashcraft Anderson.

He is survived by two daughters, Deborah and Rev. David Story of Van Vleck, and Dee and Michael Williams of Houston; one beloved grandson, Michael Patrick Williams of Dallas, four beloved great-grandchildren, Trent Braswell Williams, Ryan David Williams, Mary Loving Williams and Michael Patrick Williams, Jr., and three beloved sisters, Irene Lehman and Maxine Gibson of Bay City and Mary McMinn of Duncanville, Texas.

He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law Thomas and Lucille Calk, Evelyn and Eddie Hornaday, Katherine Green, Frances and Carolyn Ashcraft, his nieces and nephews, Craig, Corlis and John Ashcraft, Michael Anderson, Terry Weathers, Cheryl Bullock, Jan Lopez, Judy Langston, Eric, Hoyt & John Gibson, Gordon McMinn & Nora Schutt, Tranis, Clayton, Wade & Bobby Calk, Nancy Ducote, Brenda Honeycutt, Lois Mitchell, Marty McKnight, Kathy Louvier and John Green. His niece, Sandra Mulligan and nephew, Duke Green also preceded him in death.

Wyatt was "born again" at the First Pentecostal Church of Bay City on December 16, 1950 where he served many years as Sunday School Superintendent and board member. He loved and respected Rev. & Mrs. CM Becton as spiritual mentors and life-long friends. Wyatt was miraculously healed of cancer in 1964 and often shared his testimony of healing. He was a founder of Apostolic Pentecostal Church and served faithfully as a board member and worship leader until his illness. He served in the US Army, Service Command Unit during World War II, as the President of Interfaith Prayer Fellowship, an early model for interdenominational worship, on the Van Vleck ISD school board as member and President, as a caretaker and champion of the Van Vleck Community Center and as union steward at Phillips Petroleum Company in Old Ocean from which he retired after thirty five years of employment. Wyatt enjoyed Black Gospel and Southern Gospel music, acting as an election clerk, participating in Senior Day activities at the Matagorda County Fairground and "eatin' meetins" at his church. He took pleasure in many close friendships at work, in church and in his community. His daughters are especially grateful to his sister-in-law Katherine Green, his cousin James Starks and dear friend Nikki Barker for their special attention and compassionate care over the past years.

The family will receive visitors from, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 25th at 10:00 AM at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church and officiated by the Revs. CM Becton, Craig Ashcraft, David Story and Sam Starks. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Van Vleck where he will be laid to rest by Sadie and Matt.

Pallbearers are John Ashcraft, PT Bruner, Bobby Calk, Eric Gibson, John Green, Jay Hubbard, Gordon McMinn and James Starks. Memorials may be made to Wyatt's favorite organizations, the Tupelo Children's Mansion ( www.tcmm.org ), PO Box 167, Tupelo, MS 38802 or the Matagorda County Fair & Livestock Assoc., PO Box 1803, Bay City, TX 77404.