W.D. " Cotton" Needham, 91, of Riesel passed from this life on September 7, 2013, after a long struggle with congestive heart failure. Services will be 10 am Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Bellmead Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Norman Huddleston and Larry Dawson officiating. Burial will be at Riesel Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 pm Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the funeral home. Cotton was born on May 16, 1922, in Hico, Texas, to the late W.E. and Virgie (Kirkland) Needham. He had lived in the Waco and Riesel area for most of his adult life. Cotton entered the U.S. Army in 1943, and he served in five major battles in WWII: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He served in the 3rd Army under General George S. Patton, receiving five bronze stars for his military service during WW II. He also was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the American Theater Campaign Medal of Honor. He was a Mason for 68 years. He was preceded in death by his son, Larry Wayne Needham; his grandson, Gregory Needham; his mother and father, W.E. and Virgie Needham; his sister Doris Needham Lane; and two infant brothers, Charles Elzy and Charles Edd Needham. He is survived by his precious wife of 67 years, Mary Frances Ivy Needham; one son, Jimmy Dale; two grand-daughters, Karen Anderson and Jennifer Lebkowsky; two grandsons Justin Needham and Billy Ray Copeland; four great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; two step-great-grandsons; one step-great-granddaughter; 1 great-great granddaughter; and special family member, Debbie Needham and Shawn Needham Fort. He is also survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Jerry Don and Reggie Needham of Hico, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews, and numerous Needham cousins. Pallbearers will be Wendall Clark, Mike Reeves, Darryle White, Sean Needham, Darrel Hurt, Jimmy Hill. Honorary Pallbearers are Bobby Needham, Paul Beasley, Morris Smith, Billy Gatlin, Sonny Hicks, Ronnie Richardson, Ronnie Renfro. The family wishes to express a special thanks to the Providence Hospice care and especially to Benny Hart.