Gilbert Irving Snyder was born on July 5, 1929, in Martinez, Contra Costa County, California. Irving, as he was commonly known, was my first cousin 1x removed. I knew Irving all of my life. His wife Billie, son Russ, and daughter Lorrie and my family were constant companions when we all lived in Bakersfield, and afterwards when they moved to rural Woody. Irving was one of my father closest friends and I often think of the many good times I had when Irving and my dad would travel to my home in Hydesville, California, to deer hunt. Many a buck met his end during those trips. I will always remember and miss Irving.
Irving was the only child of Ill Mae Moore and Gilbert A Snyder. His mother divorced Gilbert in xxx and married Samual Graham Crawford II in about xxx. Irving had two half-siblings from that marriage: Joan Kay Crawford (1933-2018) and Samuel Graham Crawford III (1946-present).
Irving married Billie Jean Reeves on January 23, 1948 in Bakersfield, Kern County, California. Irving and Billie had two children: Russell Allen Snyder (1949-2011) and Lorrie Annett Snyder (1950-1973). Neither Russell nor Lorrie had any children, and the blood line of the Snyders ended with the deaths of both children.
Irving died of complications of heart disease on April 3, 2002, in Bakersfield. He is buried at the Blue Mountain Cemetery in Woody, next to his wife Billie. They have a common headstone.
