Howard Purnell

Greencastle, Pennsylvania
Howard Ulysses Purnell, age 95, of Greencastle, Pa., and formerly of Daytona, Fl., passed away Thursday, December 15, 2011, at the home of his great-nephew, Samuel Keister and his wife, Amanda.

Born September 12, 1916, in Hancock, Md., he was the youngest of five children of the late Samuel and Amanda Hartley Purnell, and the widower of Avis (Peggy) Purnell.

He served with the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Hawaii, and served with the Provost Marshall and the Military Police.

He was a Pearl Harbor Survivor.

After his military service, his profession was as an electrician. He worked in the building of the Cape Canaveral Apollo/Gemini projects; and he worked on the construction of Disneyworld, doing electrical wiring on many of the shows. He was also involved in the construction of the first Daytona 500, with Bill France, Sr., doing the electrical wiring for the pylon.

He had a passion for travel, and for Hawaii, which he spoke of often.

He was a Charter member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1263 in Daytona Beach, Fl., and a member of the  IBEW Local #756 in Port Orange, Fl.

He is survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary and Genevive; and brothers, Fred and Edwin.

Private services will be held at the family's earliest convenience.

Arrangements were handled by the Grove Funeral Home, Hancock, Md.

Online condolences will be accepted at www.grovefh.com