Derril Edward Howell, 82, died May 23, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Rose (Cheesman) Howell; his sons and their spouses: Kenneth and Leanne Howell, Scott and Vanessa Howell, Douglas and Jeannette Howell, Eric and Stacey Howell; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many close friends.
Derril was born December 31, 1929 in Champaign, Illinois the son of Edward and Cleo (Armstrong) Howell. After graduating from Moweaqua High School in 1948, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served twenty years, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant serving in Okinawa, Germany, California and 11 years at the North American Air Defense Command in Colorado Springs.
While stationed in Colorado Springs, Derril met his future wife, Rose Cheesman and they were married in 1953.
After his retirement from the Air Force, Derril worked for twenty years with the City of Colorado Springs Water Department.
Derril had a great passion for the Colorado outdoors including hunting, fishing, and golf. Derril spent countless hours enjoying these interests with his family.
After retirement he enjoyed traveling the world with Rose and spending winters at their second home in Tucson, Arizona.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 4, 2012 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation, 825 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Suite 500, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903-3624.