Sherrell Pyles1

M, #80851, b. 11 September 1931, d. 8 April 2021

Family: Carole Marion Shellenberger

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthSep 11, 1931near, Medon, TN, USA2
Marriage19661
DeathApr 8, 2021
ObituaryApr, 2021Sherrell Crittendon Pyles was born Friday, 11 September 1931, at home near Medon, Tennessee. His parents were Dessie Adele Pyles (née Frye) and Riley Fulton Pyles. He joined two older sisters, Lillian and Ruth, and older brother Wilfred, and soon, younger brother, Charles. During his high school years he lived with Ruth and brother-in-law Kenneth Stevens in nearby Bolivar, Tennessee. Sherrell was hired by the local grocer’s family to care for their lawn and plants. He also took telephone orders and delivered groceries throughout the neighborhood, driving the grocer’s truck; and although he had no license, he taught himself.

One sweltering day in 1950 he was chopping sorghum canes at the family farm. He was sweaty and tired when his cousin Earl drove up and asked Sherrell to come with him to join the U.S. Air Force. Sherrell stopped chopping immediately and his mother sat down and cried. Sherrell and his cousin were on a train that evening bound for Wichita Falls, Texas. At Sheppard Air Force Base he was told he had two left feet and he believed he did! His first assignment was in Smyrna, Tennessee and he took a bus home on weekends. However, this changed when his entire outfit was transferred to Morocco.

His job was jeep driver for the commander and performed radar operations on the B-36 Peacemaker. On Sherrell’s off-duty time he filled a barrel with ice and chilled bottled soft drinks to sell and ran the projector showing films to the Airmen. After hours he played poker. He sent all his soda profits and poker winnings via postal money order to his mother.

Upon return to the states he was stationed for a short time in North Carolina. Then he went overseas to Naples, Italy and then Upper Heyford, England. Sometime later he was transferred to Hamilton Air Force Base, California where he worked in Personnel. During an inspection, the Headquarters Inspector General team was so impressed with him that they immediately placed him on their team! And off duty he was the base theater manager.

New to the Air Force and to Hamilton was 2nd Lieutenant Carole Shellenberger who had the additional duty as Theater Officer. Sherrell was not happy with having a female officer appointed over him. However, he soon changed his mind and asked Carole to take a scenic drive with him through the Muir Woods. From then on, they became inseparable. On 16 July 1966 they were married in the base chapel.

They were soon both transferred to the Washington D.C. area. Carole was at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland and Sherrell at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He was in the 1127th Field Activities Group, a classified organization. He was the individual, known as “Super Personnel Manager of the Air Force” charged with installing and operating the new Burroughs 3500 Computing System. In his off-duty time, he and Carole dug and found hundreds of antique bottles.

In 1970 they were assigned to Germany, Carole at Frankfurt and Sherrell at Rhein-Main Air Base. There at the Air Force Hospital at Wiesbaden he had two boys born, one in 1971 and the other in 1975. At Rhein-Main he was twice named the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. And then he moved south to Ramstein Air Base in the Kaiserslautern area. He worked for a short time in Personnel before being hired by the Base Commander to be the Ramstein’s first-ever Base Sergeant Major. Two of his commanders were former Vietnam Prisoners of War who spent time in the “Hanoi Hilton”, another was a SR-71 Blackbird pilot who overflew the Soviet missile buildup in Cuba. All commanders totally respected Sherrell’s unique level of expertise. He provided solutions to anything from placing state flags to finance to plane crashes. He retired in 1985 in a ceremony presided over by the Headquarters United States Air Force Europe Commander in Chief, General Charles Donnelly.

During a mandatory post-retirement hiatus, he transformed Woodlawn golf course into a premier base facility. Then as a civil service federal employee, working as the base finance manager, he took on a myriad of “extra” responsibilities, which included counseling dependent children. He turned many offenders into changed positive personalities. He was ever revisited and thanked by those he’d helped. In 1997, Carole took employment in the Joint Analysis Center in England. Sherrell retired from civil service as a GS-12 and joined her. They immensely appreciated England and Scotland. One facet was they became bird enthusiasts, beginning with exposure to Swan migrations to Welney Reserve.

In 2005 they sailed on the Queen Mary to New York, which culminated 35 years living in Europe, and then road Amtrak to San Antonio, Texas. They had purchased a house on the former Rogers Ranch. They took road trips across the United States and cruised to countless world destinations. In Texas itself, the Hill Country was special with its blue bonnets and Indian paint brushes.

Sherrell lived a good life with wonderful and unique experiences. He had a wide host of dear friends, many who are United States Air Force colleagues. And in his words when he retired from active duty, “Thank you for being here with me on this special occasion [as I retire from life on earth]. I have seen the bad times and the good times. I am proud to have been a part of making life better for all Americans. Thank you for carrying on the tradition of service. I wish you the best of luck with your lives. God Bless.”

Sherrell is survived by his wife Carole, his son Riley (Colonel, U.S. Air Force), and daughter-in-law Christina, and grandsons Connor and Logan.
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005.
  2. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

George Hawkins1

M, #80852

Family: Lydia Luther

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Marriage1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005.

William Ezra Skelton1

M, #80853, b. 12 September 1891, d. 1938

Family: Ethel Rice

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthSep 12, 1891William's Twp, MI, USA1
Marriage1
Death19381
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Art Horn1

M, #80854

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birth1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Fred Horn1

M, #80855

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birth1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Luella Mearl Pike1

F, #80856, b. 8 May 1881, d. 4 May 1928

Family: Melvin Edward Skelton

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthMay 8, 18811
Marriage1
DeathMay 4, 19281
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Irene Harriet Richardson1

F, #80857, b. 1887, d. 1941

Family: Glenn Beattie Skelton

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birth18871
Marriage1
Death19411
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Raymond Geary Feagans1

M, #80858, b. 6 April 1913

Family: Katherine Fisler

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthApr 6, 19131
Marriage1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Katherine Fisler1

F, #80859

Family: Raymond Geary Feagans

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Marriage1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Raymond John Feagans1

M, #80860

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birth1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Riley Floyd Pyles1

M, #80861, b. 11 November 1971

Family: Christine Smock

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthNov 11, 19711
Marriage1
Mil. EnlsUS Air Force; Colonel
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Geary W. Pyles1

M, #80862, b. 9 May 1975

Family: Stacey Scherer

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthMay 9, 19751
Marriage1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Ruth Hill1

F, #80863

Family: George Duranca Skelton

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Marriage1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Ethel Rice1

F, #80864

Family: William Ezra Skelton

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Marriage1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Christine Smock1

F, #80865, b. 3 July 1973

Family: Riley Floyd Pyles

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthJul 3, 19731
Marriage1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Connor Riley Pyles1

M, #80866, b. 19 February 2004

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthFeb 19, 20041
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Stacey Scherer1,2

F, #80867, b. July 1966

Family: Geary W. Pyles

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthJul, 19661
Marriage1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.
  2. [S415] E-mail from Carole Pyles, Jan 2006.

Sydney Harper Pyles1

F, #80868, b. 1 December 2001

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthDec 1, 20011
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Alfred E. Skelton1

M, #80869, b. 10 April 1896

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthApr 10, 18961
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Wynn Leland Skelton1

M, #80870, b. 19 February 1898, d. 1948

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthFeb 19, 18981
Death19481
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Norman Beattie Skelton1

M, #80871, b. 20 January 1900

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthJan 20, 19001
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

Harris Roland Skelton1

M, #80872, b. 25 August 1905, d. 1942

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthAug 25, 19051
Death19421
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S36] Letter, from Carole Pyles, Apr 22, 2005: based on document by Robert B. Skelton.

William Houghton1

M, #80873, b. circa 1900, d. 7 September 1969

Family: Sarah Alice Bolton

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Birthcirca 1900England, age 30 in 1930 census; age 40 in 1940 census1
Immigration19231
MarriageAug 25, 1923age 24 and 231
1930 Census1930Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 30, auto factory shipping clerk1
1940 Census1940Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 40, automobile factory shipping clerk2
1950 US Census1950Detroit, MI, USA, age 50, shipping foreman, automobile co.
DeathSep 7, 1969Detroit, MI, USA
ParentsSparents born in England1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S1233] 1930 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; Roll: 1054 Enumeration District: 539; sheet 66B; line 66, dwl 8637-1010-14.
  2. [S1479] 1940 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T627_1870; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 84-1022; line 6, dwl 8637.

Sarah Alice Bolton1

F, #80874, b. circa 1901

Family: William Houghton

  • Marriage*: Sarah Alice Bolton married William Houghton on Aug 25, 1923 age 24 and 23.1

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birthcirca 1901England, age 29 in 1930 census; age 38 in 1940 census1
MarriageAug 25, 1923age 24 and 231
1930 Census1930Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 30, auto factory shipping clerk1
1940 Census1940Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 40, automobile factory shipping clerk2
1950 US Census1950Detroit, MI, USA, age 50, shipping foreman, automobile co.
ParentsDparents born in England1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S1233] 1930 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; Roll: 1054 Enumeration District: 539; sheet 66B; line 66, dwl 8637-1010-14.
  2. [S1479] 1940 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T627_1870; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 84-1022; line 6, dwl 8637.

Elizabeth Jean Houghton1

F, #80875, b. circa 1928

Family: Henry Keating

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Birthcirca 1928MI, USA, age 2 10/12 in 1930 census; age 12 in 1940 census1
Marriage
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S1233] 1930 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; Roll: 1054 Enumeration District: 539; sheet 66B; line 66, dwl 8637-1010-14.

Flossie Houghton1

F, #80876, b. circa 1920

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birthcirca 1920Canada, age 10 in 1930 census1
Immigration19291
1930 Census1930Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 10, guest with Emma Rosebury family1
ParentsDparents born in Eng. Canada1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S1233] 1930 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; Roll: 1058 Enumeration District: 634; sheet 12B; line 51, dwl 6680-10.

Frances Brady1

F, #80877, b. circa 1895

Family: Max Henry Houghton

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birthcirca 1895MI, USA, age 35 in 1930 census; age 45 in 1940 census1
Marriagecirca 1923age 28 and 281
1930 Census1930Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 35, automible insurance office clerk1
1940 Census1940Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 45, insurance inspector2
1950 US Census1950Detroit, MI, USA, age 56, insurance branch auditor
ParentsDparents born in Ireland1
DuplicateMI, USA
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S1233] 1930 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; Roll: 1063 Enumeration District: 781; sheet 2B; line 85, dwl 1140-20-62.
  2. [S1479] 1940 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T627_1842; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 84-109; line 1, dwl 171.

Morris Barrett Houghton1,2

M, #80878, b. 16 June 1902, d. 17 December 1960

Family: Marguerite MacPhee

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectY
Corresponded with authorN
BirthJun 16, 1902Burdell Twp, Tustin, Osceola Co., MI, USA, age 17 in 1920 census; age 28 in 1930 census; age 37 in 1930 census1
Marriagecirca 19291
1930 Census1930Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 28, rubber company sales statistics1
Residence1935Detroit, MI, USA
1940 Census1940Joliet, Will Co., IL, USA, age 37, tire and rubber comp. salesman3
Mil. DraftFeb 14, 1942Nebraska City, NE, USA, age 39, Occupation: Goodyear Tire And Rubber Co
1950 US Census1950Phoenix, AZ, USA, age 47, fire equipment, sales and service
DeathDec 17, 1960Holbrook, Navajo Co., AZ, USA2
BurialDec 21, 1960Phoenix, Maricopa Co., AZ, USA2
ParentsSparents born in MI1
Contributn
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S1233] 1930 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; Roll: 1065 Enumeration District: 818; sheet 54B; line 89, dwl 4690-889.
  2. [S1254] , Ancestors/Decendents of Luanne Houghton, 2002, by Luanne H. Hanks.
  3. [S1479] 1940 U.S. Federal Census , Joliet, Will, Illinois; Roll: T627_909; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 99-80; line 43, dwl 410.

Marguerite MacPhee1,2

F, #80879, b. 25 January 1902, d. 22 January 1994

Family: Morris Barrett Houghton

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthJan 25, 1902West Gore, Hantz, Nova Scotia, Canada, age 38 in 1940 census1,2
Immigration1912
Marriagecirca 19291
1930 Census1930Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 28, rubber company sales statistics1
1940 Census1940Joliet, Will Co., IL, USA, age 37, tire and rubber comp. salesman3
1950 US Census1950Phoenix, AZ, USA, age 47, fire equipment, sales and service
DeathJan 22, 1994Youngtown, Maricopa Co., AZ, USA2
BurialJul 8, 1994Phoenix, Maricopa Co., AZ, USA2
ParentsDFather: Forrester Benjamin MACPHEE b: 20 JAN 1861 in West Gore,Hantz,Nova Scotia,Canada
Mother: Lois Alberta MACPHEE b: 29 NOV 1873 in West Gore,Hantz,Nova Scotia,Canada1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S1233] 1930 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; Roll: 1065 Enumeration District: 818; sheet 54B; line 89, dwl 4690-889.
  2. [S1254] , Ancestors/Decendents of Luanne Houghton, 2002, by Luanne H. Hanks.
  3. [S1479] 1940 U.S. Federal Census , Joliet, Will, Illinois; Roll: T627_909; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 99-80; line 43, dwl 410.

Gladys Hoyt1

F, #80880, b. circa 1905

Family: Frank Brigham Houghton

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Birthcirca 1905MI, USA, age 25 in 1930 census1
Marriagecirca 1925age 22 and 201
1930 Census1930Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, USA, age 26, auto body co. accountant1
ParentsDWalter & Amy Hoyt; parents born in MI1
Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S1233] 1930 U.S. Federal Census , Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; Roll: 1066 Enumeration District: 827; page 24, sheet 24A; line 20, dwl 14514-282-7.