In 1941 he joined the Army Air Force, 367th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group, as a radio operator and gunner. He flew with his crew on many missions over Germany but on October 8, 1943 his plane was hit by flak or anti aircraft fire and crashed in Fischerhude, six miles E of Bremen. Six of his fellow crew members were killed in action. Cecil was captured along with three other crew members. He was held as a POW in Germany until May 3, 1945. He was discharged with honors from the Army Air Force on October 22, 1945.

Cecil married Eva White on December 31, 1945 in Vernon, Texas, and they made their home in the Cooperton and Hobart area. In May of 1999 they moved to Antlers, Oklahoma to be near family. Cecil was a farmer, a heavy equipment operator and a postal carrier; but his true vocation was mule-rider and coon-hunter.

He was a member of the Antlers First Baptist Church. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized in 1998. He fought as a great soldier during World War II and also fought a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. His presence on the earth will be sorely missed, but his family and friends rejoice in his eternal presence with his heavenly father.

Cecil and Eva, his wife of 60 years, raised a son & three daughters & sons-in-law who blessed them with 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Cecil entered Into rest May 1, 2006 in Bonham, Texas.