Sergeant Major Albert Riley Criswell Also known as Chris, Bud, and The Whistler, was born on September 23rd 1938, to Albert Luther and Vera Ruth Criswell and passed from this world on January 13th 2025, in his home in Wichita Falls.

A graveside service will be held at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma, on January 23 at 1:00 P.M. with Dan Tomkins, Ed Parnell and Chaplain (MAJ) Gonzalez officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.

He graduated from Mt Whitney High School in Visalia, California.  At the age of 18, he became an outstanding soldier (a one percenter) for the United States Army. He did 2 tours in Vietnam and was a bronze star recipient as well as a multitude of other medals. He retired in 1977, from the Army.

He was the former Commander of the VFW Wichita Falls, Texas, on Sheppard Access post 2147. He was a current member of the American Legion post 120.

To know Chris was an honor. He was a friend to all that took the time to get to know him. As a human being, as a United States American Veteran, as a man that walked and lived a life of dedicated service to all, he rose above and beyond the call of duty. We honor him today and can only hope to emulate the man he was. Heaven gained a monumental Angel.

He was survived by his sister, Linda Robinette; his daughter, Denise Bell; his son, Patrick Criswell; Grandsons, Robert B Sarabia and Tyler B Holman; Granddaughters, Amanda Criswell and Antonia Sarabia; and also too many great grandchildren to list.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother Albert and Ruth Criswell; his wife, Deloris June Criswell; and his sisters, Lila Roberts, Jean Hughes and Ann Ferrell.

Romans 14: The weak and the strong