Bill Tidwell
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In Remembrance of

Bill Tidwell
rose spray
"Wild Bill" Tidwell never met a stranger. If you ever met him you never forgot him. His passion in life was to fly. He was happiest in the airplane and having his son and daughter by his side. He was an avid Texas Tech fan and got enjoyment from hosting tailgate parties and receiving awards for the best tailgater. He also loved fishing and hunting with his son and golfing.

Services for Bill, 55, of Ransom Canyon and formerly McAdoo were at 2:00 PM, Sunday, May 22, 2005 at the Crosbyton First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Karan Young officiating. Burial followed at the McAdoo Cemetery under direction of Adams Funeral Home of Crosbyton. He passed away Thursday, May 19, 2005 in Crosby County.

He was born October 12, 1949 in Midland to Marvin William and Dorothea (Butler) Tidwell. He was a member of the McAdoo First United Methodist Church and the Texas Agriculture Aviation Association. He was a spray pilot and farmer and moved to Ransom Canyon in 2002 after spending most of his life in McAdoo.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Bob who passed away October 15, 2000. Survivors include; a son and his wife; Billy Ray and Brandy Tidwell of McAdoo, a daughter D'Lese Tidwell of Crosbyton, a companion; Zan Richardson of Ransom Canyon, a sister-in-law; Marcell Tidwell of McAdoo, two nieces; Carly and Krista Tidwell both of McAdoo, Aunts and Uncles; Bob and Ann Butler of Crosbyton, Maizie and Erbie Conley of Lubbock, Patsy Simpson, Jean Hudgins and Kathryn Vandertil all of Weatherford, numerous great nieces and nephews and a granddog Raider.

Pallbearers will be: John Hall, Dwight Hickman, Robert Carter, Weldon Lloyd, Jimmy Parkhill and Donnie Wheeless.

The Crosby County News and Chronicle, Thursday May 26, 2005, page 9
Lubbock Avalanche Journal News story

Local Farmer and Friend of the Community Killed in Plane Crash

By Joseph Johnston
Local farmer and crop duster William Wade Tidwell, better known as "Wild Bill", was killed when his spray plane crashed on Thursday May 19, about 10 a.m. The crash was near the Melba Hines pasture which is south of Crosbyton off County Road 18, and south of Farm Road 40.

Tidwell's plane, a prop-jet, is reported to have sliced the end of a wing on a new air tower which was recently constructed. The plane plummeted to the ground at a speed over 180 miles per hour. Tidwell was killed on impact, and the seat to which he was strapped broke away and ejected him about 30 yards away. The remains of the plane caught fire and burned. The FAA has secured the wreckage area while the investigation is in progress.

It is reported that a farmer in the area saw the plane flying, but later saw smoke coming from the pasture. The farmer called Tidwell's son, Billy Ray, to come check on his father. This is when the crash site was discovered.

Tidwell operated McAdoo Flying Service, located on Ayrshire Street in Crosbyton. He was also the operator of the City of Crosbyton Municipal Airport. Services for Tidwell were at Crosbyton First United Methodist Church, Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Burial was at the McAdoo cemetery.

©The Crosby County News and Chronicle, Thursday, May 26, 2005

CROSBYTON--A tragic accident in Crosby County takes the life of a crop duster pilot. Authorities say William Tidwell, 56, died after his plane clipped a tower and crash-landed in a field.

The plane went down in Crosby County near FM-40 and County Road 183. Investigators believe the accident happened shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday.

State troopers say Tidwell`s crop dusting plane crashed after hitting a cell phone tower. The aircraft lost a wing and tumbled into a fiery pile of wreckage.

Nearby farmers reported seeing Tidwell`s plane flying in the area. Then shortly later, they noticed smoke coming from a distance. That`s when they suspected the plane had gone down and called Tidwell`s son. But it was already too late for the 56-year-old pilot.

Tidwell had been flying for almost 30 years. He owned McAdoo Flying, a Crosbyton crop dusting company that was well-known here on the South Plains.

Family members say before the accident, Tidwell called in and said that he thought something was wrong with his plane. However, at this point, DPS troopers have not confirmed the call.

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the exact cause of the accident.

Lubbock Channel 28 News

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