William (Bill) Gordon Tugwell, 88, of Moss Bluff, died on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, at his home.
His service was held Monday, Oct. 14, at First Baptist Church of Moss Bluff. Interment was at Old Ritchie Cemetery. Rev. Lindsey Burns and Rev. Tim Bergen officiated.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances (Francine) Regan Tugwell; five children, Shirley Tugwell Fontenot and husband Sherman of Ragley, Gordon Tugwell and wife Nancy of Lake Charles, Linda Tugwell Guinn Whelchel of Westlake, Darlene Tugwell Habetz and husband Richard of Longville, and John Tugwell and wife Kim of Longville; sister, Cindy Tugwell of Kilgore, Texas; brother, Charles Tugwell of Conroe, Texas; and a host of grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd (Tug) and Irene Tugwell; and two brothers.
He was born in El Dorado, Ark. He was raised in Gladewater, Texas, and graduated from Gladewater High School in 1949. After high school, he went to work in the oil field. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for four years with an honorable discharge. In 1952, he and his wife settled in Lake Charles. After the military, he returned to the oil field, where he worked a few years for McCullough Tool Company. He then started the final part of his career at Conoco Refinery in 1959. He transferred to Conoco Chemical which eventually became Vista Chemical, where he retired from in 1993 after 33 years of service.
He and his wife belonged to four churches. The first was Twelfth Street Baptist Church of Lake Charles. Then they moved to First Baptist Church of Lake Charles before moving to Moss Bluff, where they attended Berean Bible Church for many years, finally ending at First Baptist Church of Moss Bluff. He served as Sunday school teacher and deacon, worked in training union, and on various committees.
