Gabriel William Osburn, 96, of Valley Grande, Alabama, passed away September 14, 2013 in the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center in Mobile, Alabama. He was born in Perryville, Alabama on January 26, 1917 to Zedic William and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Moon Osburn and was the youngest of ten children.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Corinne Crews Osburn and his parents. His brothers: Edwin Calhoun Osburn; Eli George Osburn; Irwin Roscoe Osburn; Goldsby King Osburn; Dewey Clark Osburn, and Marvin Moon Osburn. His sisters: Oda Mae Osburn Vaughn; Rosa Dee Osburn Fuller and Catherine Elizabeth Osburn Moore, all preceded him in death.

He is survived by three daughters: Barbara Ellen Osburn, of Valley Grande, Alabama; Mary Alice Osburn (Roger) Hale, of Columbiana, Alabama; and Diana Lynn Osburn, of Eight Mile, Alabama. Two grandsons, Robert Wesley (Tunya) Hale and Michael William (Kim) Hale, and four great granddaughters: Hillary Brooke Hale; Heather Nicole Hale; Maleah Hadley Hale and Myla Elizabeth Hale.

Mr. Osburn attended Livingston State Teachers College (now the University of West Alabama) from 1936-38 where he obtained a Class D Certificate as a teacher of junior high students. During his time at Livingston he played on the first baseball, basketball and tennis teams. He taught math and geography and coached basketball in Heiberger, Alabama from 1938-40.

He then attended the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) from 1940 until his graduation, with a degree in Vocational Agriculture, in 1943. He was also in Advanced ROTC.

In July 1943, he attended Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In February 1944 he was promoted to Army 1st Lieutenant and was sent to field artillery school at Camp Roberts, California. He was then sent to Fort Benning, Georgia and was deployed from there to Limburgh, Germany.

On his return from WWII he and his family moved to Selma, Alabama. In April 1955 the family moved to property on Alabama Highway 14 West where he owned and operated Gabe’s Service Station, raised cattle and worked as a rural mail carrier for 27 plus years. This was his home until his death.

Visitation will be Monday, September 16, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home in Selma.

Graveside Services will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 11:00 am at the New Live Oak Cemetery.  Reverend George Birchler will conduct the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project in Mr. Osburn’s name.

Forms will be available at the funeral home and at the graveside services. You can also contribute online: woundedwarriorproject.org