Leroy Goebel was born Aug. 4, 1924 in Arneckeville. He died Oct. 6, 2017 in Graham, at 92 years and 2 months. He was proud of his service in World War II in the Navy Seabees.
He married Viola Rektorik on July 6, 1947 and considered that the smartest thing he ever did. She preceded him in death and she will be waiting for him “on the front row in heaven.”
He was a strong man who was engaged with life and everyone he met. He remembered every detail and was learning new things. If he did not know the answer he would “look it up.”
He is survived by his only daughter, Gail Goebel Stephens and her three children and families: Jarrod and Laura Stephens, Willa and Hattie; Scott and Natalie Stephens, Charlotte; Cara and Geoff Dziuda.
He had a kind heart and did everything in life to protect his wife and daughter. He made strong decisions to the very end. He was a true gentleman and his grandsons have an amazing example to follow.
At his request, there will be no flowers, no funeral, no memorial. He will be buried in the family plot in Schulenburg, next to Vi, at a later date.
If you wish to remember him, do so to First Presbyterian Church Graham or the Young County Animal Shelter.

James "Booger" Ethridge, 68, passed away Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017 in Fort Worth. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery in Jermyn, under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.
James was born Feb. 20,1949 in Graham, to Thomas Jefferson and Ethel Dovie (Awalt) Ethridge, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Graham High School and Cisco Junior College. He was a lifetime resident of Graham and worked in the oilfield for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Ethridge of Graham; son, Ryon Ethridge of Graham; brother: Tommy Dan Ethridge of California; four grand-childrenn, Dalton, Bailey, Cataleya and Dovie Ethridge; and numerous cousins.

Gil Hurley, 66, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 in Benbrook. Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m. in Morrison Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home. The family received friends after the burial at 900 Shawnee St. in Graham.
Gil was born March 13, 1951 in Mineral Wells, to Chester and Ava Lea Hurley, who preceded him in death.
He married Marian Hanlon Feb. 12, 1999 in Weatherford. Gil graduated from Weatherford High School and received his degree from Texas A&M University in agricultural economics. He was employed by J&M Steel of Fort Worth.
Survivors include his wife, Marian Hurley of Graham; children, Jeff Hurley and wife, Trina of Houston, Michael Hurley and wife, Resa of Grand Prairie, Zach McCain and wife, Mallory of Sugar Land, and Paige Sharpe and husband, Brandon of North Richland Hills; sister, Glenna Faye Gros and husband, Mervin of Grand Prairie; brother, Mike Hurley and wife, Chavela of Weatherford; grandchildren, Michael, Jeremiah and Abigail Hurley, Jonah and Georgia Sharpe, and Caroline and William McCain; and several nieces and nephews.

Barbara June (Townsend) Holt passed on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, leaving a legacy of love and strength to her family and those whose lives she touched.
Services were held Saturday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. at the Vera Methodist Church with Rev. Terry Pugh officiating. Burial was in the Vera Cemetery under the direction of Archer Funeral Home.
Born June 7, 1939 in Stamford, as the daughter of W.J. and Nora Mae Townsend, she was the second of two children and sister to Betty Jo Kinnibrugh. Her family moved to the community of Vera in 1941, and Barbara and her sister loved growing up on the family farm. Barbara attend Vera Consolidated School until her graduation in 1957. (And yes, she loved the Statler Brothers.)
She attended North Texas State University in Denton, earning a bachelor of arts degree in education and graduating in 1961. She accepted an elementary teaching position in Odessa, where she taught for 32 years, with a short break to enjoy the early years raising her three young children, Carla, Stephen and Aimee.
Every summer found Barbara serving and participating at church camps. It was at one such camp in Lufkin in 1994 that she met Paul, who hailed Whoden. After a whirlwind romance full of love letters and visits, they married Aug. 19, 1994. The couple resided in Odessa until Barbara’s retirement in 1998, with Paul building his construction contractors business there.
In 1998, Barbara and Paul moved to Graham, where Paul remodeled a home on some land, built a shop out back, and began re-building his business once again.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Holt; a sister, Betty Jon Kinnibrugh; three children, Carla Hays and husband, Stuart, Stephen Coulston and wife, Meg and Aimee Smith and husband, Tommy Smith; two step-children, Sheila Ballard and husband, Sam and Bill Holt and wife, Sandy; nine grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren.

Sandra Jo "Sandy" Hamman was born July 25, 1947 in Denver, Colo. to Clyde Preston and Christine Bell (Chaplin) Huff.
She and Bill Hamman were married May 15, 2001 in Jacksboro. Sandy was the owner of Forgotten Memories Antique Shop in Jacksboro and member of Young County Cowboy Church in Graham.
She passed away Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017 in Jermyn, at the age of 70.
Sandy was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Renee Baugh and a special aunt, Ada Jo Hicks.
She is survived by her husband, Bill; children, Roni Winters and husband Hack and Kirk Kampfhenkel as well as many others who she claimed as her children; sisters, Gayle Byron and Susan Huff-Stapp and husband Stephen; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of other friends and family.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 19 at the Young County Cowboy Church in Graham, with burial following in the Hamman Family Cemetery. Visitation is 6 p.m. Wednesday at Coker Funeral Homer Jacksboro.

Dennis Ray Hawkins, 67, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017 in Graham. A memorial service will be held Monday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. at Morningside Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction Morrison Funeral Home.
Dennis was born April 28, 1950 in Graham, to Dennis McHenry Hawkins and Olive Ruby (Blaxley) Hawkins. He married Susan Singleton on March 3, 1972 in Graham.
Dennis was a carpenter and a lifetime resident of Graham. Dennis loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandkids. He enjoyed making knives and building projects around the house.
Survivors include his wife, Susan Hawkins of Graham; daughters, Rebecca Mosley and husband Lance of Graham, and Hollie Larance and Robbie of Newcastle; mother, Olive Hawkins of Graham; sister, Betty Shaffer of Haltom City; brother, Bobby Hawkins of Graham; seven grandchildren, Kasey Potter, Kolby Mosley, Kameron Mosley, Miracle Guttery, Bailee Larance, Jacob Larance and Jazzmine Leach; and great-grandson, Kace Mosley.
Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Dennis M. Hawkins.

Neal Guinn, 68, passed away Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. Funeral service will be Thursday, Oct. 26, at 4 p.m. in First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.
Neal was born Dec. 9, 1948 in Graham, to Cecil W. and Edith Oneta (Harlan) Guinn, who preceded him in death.
He was a veteran of the Navy. Neal married Kathy Stewart, June 28, 1969 in Graham. He was a longtime resident of Lubbock where he worked for Mrs. Baird's. After retirement he moved to Graham and worked in the oilfield business for several years. Neal was a member of First United Methodist Church Graham.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Guinn of Graham; daughters, Rhendy Mullins and husband Brandon of Lubbock, Amy Stone and husband Jack of Anton, and Allison Guinn of Lubbock; son, Nathaniel Guinn and wife Tamara of Phoenix, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Brianna, Jonathan and Madeline Mullins, Jackson and Carter Stone, and DeeDee and Johnnie Red; and a brother, Joe Guinn of Graham.
The family asks that memorials be made to Graham Evening Lions, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 411, Graham, TX 76450 or Texas Lions Camp.

Sharon Kay Newman, 73, of Forest Hill, died Oct. 18, 2017.
A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the home of Clay and Amy Jenkins in Mansfield.
Sharon Kay was born Aug. 23, 1944 in Abilene, to Alfred "Phiz" Newman and Octavia "Shine" Newman.
She graduated from All Saints Nursing School in February 1974. After graduation she worked for “Peter Smith” Hospital as a surgical tech. Sharon went on to work for some of Fort Worth’s top neurosurgeons, Drs. Jack McCallum and Phillip Bechtel. Sharon finished her nursing career working in home health care.
She is survived by her children, Scott Partain of Fort Worth, Shauna Rodriguez and husband Mike of Venus; and Amy Jenkins and husband Clay of Mansfield; grandchildren, Steven Partain of Longview, Shelby Partain of Longview, Brittany Partain of Fort Worth, Zachary Hoffman of Venus, Alyssa Hoffman of Venus, Jack Hoffman of Venus, Timothy Martin of Mansfield, Chloe Jenkins of Mansfield andTrinity Martin of Mansfield; great-grandchildren, Jordan Leigh Hill and Aiden Reed Hill, children of Shelby Partain, and Nathan Aaron Partain and Abigail Rose Partain, children of Steven Partain; brother Roy “Manz” Newman and wife, Camilla of Arlington; lifelong friends, Valda Donnell Kauffman of Arlington and Roxy Kirby of Azle.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Katherine “Buttercup” Newman and Rose Etta “Bea” Newman Alexander; brother, Alfred “Dooney” Newman Jr.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Eliasville Cemetery Fund, Attn: Connie York, 1502 Thomas Lane, Graham, TX 76450.

Gladys M. Orrell, 86, passed away Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 in Wichita Falls.
A graveside funeral will be held Sunday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. in Pioneer Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.
Gladys was born June 24, 1931 in Telephone, to Bob and Myrtle Dosier. She was a longtime resident of Graham and a former employee of Hexcel Corporation. She was a member of the Baptist Church.
Survivors include her sisters, Jill Jackson of Wichita Falls and Melba Dempsey of Flint, Mich.; brother, Jackie Lee Dosier of Odessa; grandchildren, Casey Bowman, Kelly McCrocklin, D.G. Gannon, Melissa Wilson and Sabrina Grider; and several nieces and nephews.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Darrell Wayne Gannon and Larry Reece Orrell; brothers, R.B. Dosier and Joe Dosier; and sister, Katherine Haddox.

Billy Gene Cannon, 64, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 in Graham.
Funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Morrison Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Pioneer Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.
Bill was born June 25, 1953 in Pocahontas, Ark., to Johnny and Tommie Jean (Smith) Cannon, who preceded him in death. He moved to Graham in 1976 from Arkansas. Bill received a bachelor of science degree from North Texas State University. He was a former service manager for Davidson Motor Company. Bill taught shop class at Mineral Wells High School for eight years and he also taught night classes for Weatherford College in Mineral Wells for two years. Bill was a former member of Kiwanis Club where he had served as secretary and treasurer.
Survivors include his sons, Johnny Cannon and Bobby Cannon, both of Graham; aunt, Linda Holloway of Pocahontas, Ark.; uncle, Junior Nipps of Pocahontas, Ark.; five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; and close friends, Charles and Loretta Smith of Bryson.

Bennie Little passed away Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 in Jacksboro, at the age of 93 years old.
Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at Graceland Cemetery in Jermyn.

Francis Clayton, 91, of Jacksboro, died Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 in Olney.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1 at First Baptist Church in Jacksboro. Coker Funeral Home - Jacksboro is in charge of arrangements.

Sol Alex "Buck" Basham, 85, passed away Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 in Graham. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.
Buck was born March 6, 1932 in Lipan, to the late Alex and Rena (Henderson) Basham. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. Buck was a longtime resident of Young County and worked in the oilfield.
Survivors include his wife, Yvonne Basham of South Bend; daughters, Diane Boren and Jim Gilly of Rio Vista, Calif., and Carolyn Scott and husband Fred of Graham; sons, Shane Basham of South Bend and Rickey Basham and wife Tonja of Arlington; sister, Nolan Edgin of Georgetown; 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Robert Allen Thomas passed away October 29, 2017 in Graham. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at McMillan-Satterwhite Funeral Home in Graham with interment following in Pioneer Cemetery.
Robert was born Dec. 19, 1980 in Graham and lived there most of his life. He was employed at Domino's Pizza in Graham for many years.
Survivors include his father, Allen Thomas and wife Marilyn of Duncan, Okla.; stepbrother, Phillip Taylor; two stepsisters, Karon Hise and Tracy Bermea; several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine Dianne Thomas, in 2009.
Family visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at McMillan-Satterwhite Funeral Home.

Freddie Ford Routon passed away Oct. 30, 2017. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Newcastle First United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Newcastle Cemetery. Family visitation was 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at McMillan-Satterwhite Funeral Home in Graham.
Fred was born May 17, 1942 in Olney, and lived in Newcastle most of his life. He was retired from Air Tractor in Olney. He was a member of the Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Juerrine Routon of Graham; a son, Chuck Routon and wife Anne of Graham; three grandchildren, Chase Routon, Katherine Murray and Elizabeth Routon; his mother, Louella Isham of Olton; sister, Louise Engelking and husband Jerry of Muleshoe, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harless Ford Routon; a grandson, Justin Ford Routon and stepfather, J.W. Isham.

Nobia Pitts, 93, of Breckenridge, passed from this life Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Graham. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Morehart Mortuary Chapel, with Rev. Charles West officiating. Burial will follow in the Breckenridge Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.
Nobia Ruth Collins Pitts was born Jan. 20, 1924 in Loraine, to parents John Miles Collins and Mary Elizabeth Jackson Collins. She grew up in Abilene, graduating from Abilene High School. During World War II, Nobia worked for Southwestern Bell as a switchboard and telephone operator.
Nobia married Donald C. Pitts on Jan. 29, 1949 in Abilene. They moved to Bryan as Don continued his studies at Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine. Nobia worked at the university performing secretarial duties in the agriculture and science departments until Don’s graduation.
In 1952, Don and Nobia, with their daughter, Nancy, moved to Breckenridge to establish a residence and to open a veterinary practice. Nobia spent the greater part of 51 years as the office manager for the Breckenridge Veterinary Clinic. She also worked as a bookkeeper and a teller at Citizens National Bank for over six years.
Nobia served as secretary and treasurer of the American Sheep Industry Women and the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Women. She enjoyed traveling and watching football, especially the Texas A&M Aggies. Nobia is remembered by her family as a gracious and generous woman.
Nobia Pitts was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Donald C. Pitts; her infant daughter, Diane Pitts; her brother, John M. Collins; and her parents, John and Mary Elizabeth Collins.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Perry and husband John; daughter, Susan Pitts; granddaughter, Tracy Davis and husband Edward; granddaughter, Christy Weddington and husband Tracy; grandson, John R. Perry Jr. and wife Jayme; great-granddaughters, Kelsey Connolly, Emily Davis, Hailey Davis and Katherine Davis.
In lieu of flowers, suggested memorials are Meals on Wheels or the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center.

Mabel Emmons, 81, passed away Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, surrounded by her family whom she loved dearly. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at First Baptist Church, Olney, with Chad Edgington, pastor, officiating. Interment followed in Restland Cemetery in Olney. Arrangements were under the direction of Lunn Funeral Home of Olney.
Mabel was born April 6, 1936 in Manila, Philippines to Ransom Alexander Moore and Sophia (Barabicho) Moore. She graduated high school at the age of 12 as valedictorian of her class. She was too young to enter college, so she continued to study on her family’s island plantation.
She married Allen Emmons on April 5, 1969 in Juarez, Mexico. They moved to Olney in 2000 from San Benito, Texas. Mabel was a Catholic and a member of the VFW Auxiliary. She loved her family dearly and truly loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Mabel was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Robert Moore; and three sisters, Edith Moore Sears, Ruth Spencer and Hazel Moore Mercado.
Survivors include her loving husband of 48 years, Allen Emmons, of Olney; three daughters, Dr. Constance Moore of Albuquerque, N.M., Cynthia Moore-Love and husband William of Houston, and Lila Mabel McCutcheon and husband Douglas of Olney; one son, Sean Christian Emmons and wife Rebekah of Megargel; one sister, Lillian Zuluaga of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at Lunn Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 901 Indiana, Ste. 350, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lunnfuneralhome.com.

Edmund "Red" Walker, 74, passed away Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, at his home in Graham surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. at Morrison Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.
Red was born Sept. 16, 1943 in Graham to the late Henry Doyle and Melba Mae (Thomas) Walker. Red graduated from Graham High School and attended College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California. He married Marilyn Allgaier, Oct. 27, 1964 in Palm Springs.
He was a former employee of Rig Testers in Graham, retiring after 35 years. Red loved music, playing guitar and banjo. He enjoyed working on cars, motors and lawn mowers and spending time with his cronies in his garage.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Walker of Graham; daughters, Rhonda Walker of Canton, Ohio, Stephanie Klingaman and Jon Barnhart of Orange, Calif., and Tricia Maddin and husband Randy of Richardson; son, Michael Walker and wife Melissa of Loving; sisters, Nancy Guinn of Richmond, Mo. and Geraldine Cohen and husband Pat of Seattle, Wash.; brother, David Walker of San Diego, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, Kyrstin, James Ray, John, Dustin and wife Brooke, Sabrina, Katherine, Mikey, Josef, Tori, Tara and Todd; four great-grandchildren, Keegan, Haylie, Angel and Arlo; several nieces and nephews; extended families, Cox family, Bynum family, Oliver family, and Busch family.
Red was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Weldon Walker.

Floyd H. Teague Jr.
Floyd H. Teague Jr., 91, of Waskom, died Nov. 8, 2017 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born Nov. 14, 1925 in Young County.
He is survived by daughters, Kathy Teague Penfield and husband Jim Penfield of Shreveport, and Kari Teague and husband Lee Ethridge of League City; sister, Oletta Teague Elkins of Graham; and brother, Robert Teague of Wichita Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd H. Teague and Mahala Louise (“Lou”) Teague of Jermyn, and by brothers, J. B. Teague and Malvin Teague.
A veteran of World War II, Teague served in the U.S. Army in Germany, and after VE Day, with the Office of Military Government, Munich. He is a Bronze Star recipient, a Memorial Medal holder for the 60th Anniversary Czech Liberation medal, and in 2015 was presented the Bell Helicopter Award for valor under fire in World War II combat.
After military service, Floyd returned to the family farm in Jermyn, then moved to Olney to work as a welder and machinist. He worked in oilfield production in Olney and Wichita Falls for many years, later transferring to Many, La. and Waskom. He was a machinist and inspector in industrial manufacture in Shreveport before retirement.
He enjoyed family vacations, especially in Lake City, Colo., where he had many friends. He liked camping, fly-fishing and in particular, Jeeping the mountain trails in his 1943 Willys MB which, along with his mountain stories, is on display in Gunnison, Colo. at the Pioneer Museum.
After retirement, he worked ceaselessly in his home machine and welding shop where he designed and built many projects, did endless repairs and assisted family and friends.
The family recognizes his beloved friend, Bettie Wade of Waskom; her daughter, Sherron Kay Nakooka; neighbors Felix and Linda Garrison, and Michael Morris. Special thanks go to his friends and staff at Garden Park Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Overton Brooks VA Hospital in Shreveport.
A graveside service and burial with military honors will be at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery near Keithville, La., at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. Rev. Jerry Penfield of Zwolle, La., will officiate, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home and the cemetery. The family requests no flowers.

Billie K. Spivey, 89, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. A graveside service will be held Monday, Nov. 20, at 1 p.m. in Pioneer Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. in the Morrison Funeral Home Chapel.
Billie was born Oct. 27, 1928 in Graham, to the late Jack and Addlane (Gibbs) Pickard. She married Bill Spivey on Aug. 4, 1951 in Graham. Bill preceded her in death on Feb. 17, 2014.
Billie was a member of Eastside Church of Christ where she loved being surrounded by her extended family. Billie enjoyed playing bridge and volunteering in the Graham Hospital Auxiliary. Many people assumed that Billie was just a housewife, but actually she was in charge of all the details, bookkeeping and worrying for Bill in his businesses. He would joke and tell her that living with him was a fringe benefit of the job. Bill and Billie had a good partnership.
Survivors include her daughter, Tammy Frezza and husband Keith of North Richland Hills; grandchildren, Sommer Frezza, Janae Poulton, and Cole Frezza; and five great-grandchildren; cousins, Barbara Inman, Jack Crabtree and wife Cathy, Sam Crabtree and Lila Hibbitts whom she loved dearly; nephew, Brian Stephens and wife Joanie, their daughter Elizabeth Gray and grandchild Abbey Gray.
A special thanks to her caregivers, Cam Montoya, Kristy Miller, Avalon Memory Care and Allstar Hospice.