SFC US ARMY
1ST ARMD DIV BAT C
WWII
KOREA

Newspaper Obituary, Daily Republic,April 2011

Godfrey Begley passed away peacefully in Fairfield on April 21, 2011.
Godfrey was born in Hyden, Kentucky on January 1, 1917, to Sherman and Sabrina Begley. He was the 4th of eleven children. At 17 years of age, Godfrey joined the Civilian Conservations Corps. In 1941, Godfrey volunteered for the Army serving in the 1st Armored Division during World War II. He fought in the N. African campaign and
Italy and his unit was awarded the Presidential Citation. In May of 1943, he was wounded in action and awarded a purple heart.
After the end of World War II, Godfrey moved back to Kentucky and married Sallie Young on Valentine's Day of 1947. He re-entered the Army and served in the Korean War from 1952-1955. After the war, the family was relocated to Fairfield, CA where Godfrey worked as a missile expert at the Travis Missile Nike Site. He retired from the Army in 1963 and then went to work for the Fairfield School District, retiring in 1981. Over the years, Godfrey enjoyed reading, gardening, and most of all spending time with his family. One of his proudest moments was serving as a grand marshal in the Fairfield Veterans' Day Parade in 2006. He is preceded in death by his wife Sallie, the love of his life, in 1994; brothers Robert of KY, George, Jack and Mitchell of Michigan; sister Madge of KY and grandson Chris Fischer of AZ. He is survived by two sisters, one brother, two daughters, one son, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that he dearly loved.
Per Godfrey's request, a private family graveside service with full military honors will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for all donations to go to North Bay Hospice in Fairfield. Arrangements are under the care of Bryan-Braker Funeral Home.