ROSWELL, N.M. – Clifford E. "Bill" Faber, 82, of Roswell, N.M., passed away Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, Roswell, N.M., after battling brain cancer.
Graveside service, with military honors conducted by the Roswell veterans honor guard, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at South Park Cemetery, Roswell, N.M., with Dr. Hugh Burroughs officiating. Family and friends will gather at First Presbyterian Church in the parlor, Roswell, N.M., following the services.
Clifford Eugene Faber was born Jan. 17, 1927, in Fulton, the son of Ben and Louise (Kettler) Faber. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1944, and entered the Navy.
He was a radio operator on board the USS Clarian (AK-172) in the Pacific theater during World War II. While in the Navy, he was awarded the Victory Ribbon, American Area Ribbon, and Asiatic Pacific Ribbon.
Mr. Faber was recognized as a dedicated 60-year member of American Legion Post 402, Fulton.
On July 24, 1946, he married Eunice Germaine Braun in Fulton. After starting out as a railroad telegrapher and radio operator in western Illinois, Bill worked for the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul and Pacific Railroad "Milwaukee Road" for 42 years. He was promoted to assistant agent in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was promoted again to agent in Mason City and Clinton, Iowa.
Everywhere he was assigned, he was the driving force behind improvements in efficiency and performance in each office. He retired from the railroad in 1985, and moved to Canton, Miss., to be near his youngest daughter and son-in-law.
Not content to be 'retired,' Bill managed an apartment complex, and then worked as a front-end manager at a grocery store in Canton, Miss. He moved to Brookhaven, Miss., in 1987, and started his second career in radio advertising sales at WCHJ-AM/WBKN-FM.
In 1991, Bill and Eunice moved to Artesia, N.M., for a brief time, then to Roswell, N.M., where he was a sales representative for KSVP-AM and KTZA-FM until early 2009. He was instrumental in building the sales for the radio stations and sold advertising for the company's acquisitions of KPZE-FM in Carlsbad, N.M., and KEND-FM in Roswell, N.M.
Always wearing a shirt and tie and carrying his briefcase, "Mr. Bill," as he was known by everyone in New Mexico, was loved and respected by his family, co-workers, and clients. His attitude and his tremendous work ethic was an example for all and he will be greatly missed.
Mr. Faber was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Roswell, N.M.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eunice; daughter, Diane Faber of San Antonio; son, Keith (Joan) Faber of Arlington Heights; daughter, Lana (Gene Dow) Faber of Artesia, N.M.; brother, Janvrin (Carol) Faber of Fulton; three nieces; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family would like to thank the staffs of the neuro and oncology floors at Covenant Medical Center, Lubbock, Texas;, the medical floor staff at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, Roswell; Mission Arch Care Center; VistaCare Hospice; and doctors, Harold Smith, Donald Quick, Rufus Mark, Dany El-Sayah, Robert Rader, and PA-C Steve Smith.
Flowers may be sent in care of the family to Ballard Funeral Home, Roswell, N.M.
Memorial contributions may be made to Assurance Home, 1000 E. 18th St., Roswell, NM 88201.
Visit www.ballardfuneralhome.com or mrbill@ksvpradio.com to send condolences.
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