Bernard E Godley

Bernard E. Godley, 83, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2017 in Temple, Texas.

Services will be held Friday, February 17 , 2017 at 1:00 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Randy Benson and Rev. Steve Sullwold officiating. Private burial will be in the Judson Cemetery in Cayuga, Texas under the direction of Archer Funeral Home, Seymour, Texas.

Bernard was born April 10, 1930 in Palestine, Texas to AG and Lita Wilbank Godley. He was raised in Cayuga with 7 sisters and 1 brother. After graduating from Cayuga High School, he went into business with his father, farming and ranching. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952, serving in the 9th Corps and the 8th Army in Korea and the far east. Following his military service, Bernard went to college at East Texas State Commerce where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, he worked for the IRS and lived in Holiday, Texas. Bernard moved to Seymour in 1970 and began Bernard E. Godley Tax Service. Over the years, he raised an array of animals including hogs, emus, quail, goats and cattle. He loved hunting pheasant, quail and dove with his close group of hunting friends. Bernard married Charlotte Haynes Dowell on June 2, 1978 in Wichita Falls. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Seymour.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Godley of Seymour; 3 children, Bryan Godley of Carrollton, Robin Dowell Gomez and husband, Fabian of Temple, and Hunter Lee Dowell and wife, Alisa of Henrietta, Texas; 6 grandchildren, Chaz Myers, Hannah Gomez, Dru Gomez, Austin Dowell, Jameson Dowell and Weston Dowell; 2 great grandchildren, Harleigh Myers and Brier Pierce; and 3 sisters, Genelle Permenter of Corsicana, Olita Brumley of Anahuac and Martha Lilly of Conroe.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday at the funeral Home