Edwin Booker, 80, of College Station, Texas, died on Dec. 16, 2015 following a lengthy illness.  A memorial service will be held at St. Michael’s Chapel in Bryan, Texas, at a time to be determined later.  A memorial service will also be held at a later date in McKenzie at Community of Christ Church.

Edwin was born on Feb. 27, 1935 to Paul E. Booker and Cora Lee Wiggins Booker in McKenzie.  He spent most of his childhood in McKenzie.  During World War II his family moved to Georgia for two years as his father worked as a welder in the shipyards in support of the war effort.  Upon returning to McKenzie, he skipped the fourth grade as the schools in Georgia were more advanced.  He was a talented musician, playing both piano and trombone.  As he excelled in all of his subjects in high school, he graduated from McKenzie High School with honors in the class of 1957.  His musical talent playing the trombone earned him a scholarship to attend the University of Alabama as a music major.  He declined as he wished to pursue science and engineering.  At the age of 17, he moved to Iowa to attend Graceland College and graduated in 1955.  Later he attended Auburn University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1957 and a master’s degree in 1959 in mechanical engineering.  It was at auburn where he met his wife, Elizabeth Weatherly.  They married in her hometown of Pine Hill, Ala., in 1959.  After working for various aerospace firms around the United States, he began a long career with McDonnell Dogulas in St. Louis, Mo. He worked in St. Louis for 13 years, and then worked another 14 years for McDonnell Douglass in Saudi Arabia.  After retiring in 1996, he settled in College Station, Texas, to be near one of his daughters.

Edwin was an active contract bridge player and earned the level of gold life master.  He continued playing bridge until a few months before his death.  He was involved with Habitat for Humanity and served on their board of directors for several years.  He used the carpentry skills he learned as a youth from his father to build cabinets for many of the Habitat houses in the Bryan/College Station area.  Living near Texas A&M University, he became an enthusiastic fan of college women’s sports with basketball, softball and soccer being his favorites.  He seldom missed a game until he became ill.

Although Edwin remained a member of Community of Christ Church in McKenzie, he attended First Baptist Church of College Station for many years.

Edwin is preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law, Adolph Jones; sister-in-law, Ruby Jean Booker; and son-in-law Michael Hancock.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Weatherly Booker; daughters, Tammy Hough and her husband, Sanford; Lee Faulkner and her husband, Michael; Eloise (Mimi) Hayes and her husband, Steven; Bebe Hancock and her husband, Travis Catalena; a sister, Joan Jones; a brother, Donald Booker, and his wife, Betty; six granddaughters, five grandsons and a number of nieces and nephews.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Community of Christ Church in McKenzie, Habitat for Humanity (Bryan/College Station or your local chapter), St. Jude’s Research Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are being handled by Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, Texas.