COUNTY LIFE
Pearl Harbor sailor coming home; Walters identified after 78 years
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
A Navy seaman killed in the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941 will be returned to his hometown of Bowie and laid to rest for the final time after he was officially identified as Fireman 1st Class Bethel Elbert Walters.
The lengthy and painstaking process of identifying remains interred as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii continues 71 years after they were declared unidentifiable. Recent years have seen more and more of these heroes coming home.
This is the second Montague County serviceman killed at Pearl Harbor to be identified and returned home. In 2018, Seaman 1st Class James C. Solomon was buried at Forestburg after he was killed on the USS Oklahoma.
Walters will be interred during graveside services at 10 a.m. on March 14 at Elmwood Cemetery with Patrick Walters, the sailor’s nephew, officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on March 13 at the White Family Funeral Home.

Read the full story in your mid-week Bowie News.
COUNTY LIFE
Hot, dry weather continues
National Weather Service Fort Worth report: We’re closing down the work week with another round of HOT and DRY weather. Much of the area will see an elevated fire weather threat again today! A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 8 pm this evening. More heat headlines likely this weekend and early next week
COUNTY LIFE
County cemetery board readies fish fry
It’s time once again for the Montague County Cemetery Board Fish Fry.
The fish fry will begin serving at 5 p.m. on Aug. 22 at the Forestburg Community Center. The price is $10 per person for all you can eat, and child’s plate for 12 and under is $5. Take-out is also available.
The meal will consist of locally caught crappie and catfish, French fries, beans, hushpuppies, coleslaw and all the trimmings and homemade desserts.
The main purpose of the Montague County Cemetery Board is to look after the county’s abandoned cemeteries. The county has between 50 and 60 abandoned cemeteries. Cleaning a cemetery typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000. Any help is greatly appreciated. Help can be monetary, but it can also be as simple as reporting a suspected lost cemetery, allowing access to the cemetery, or spending a day alongside others cleaning. Volunteers are always welcome.
Another goal of the Cemetery Board is to obtain Historical Status from the Texas Historical Commission for the abandoned cemeteries. This status records the cemetery with both the county and state. It helps to protect them for years to come.
COUNTY LIFE
New Leadership class opens in county
Leadership Montague County is now accepting applications for its upcoming class. Deadline to submit an application is Sept. 1.
Individuals who are interested in strengthening their leadership skills, expanding their knowledge of Montague County and building lasting professional and community relationships are encouraged to apply.
The program is a nine-month leadership development program consisting of nine, one-day, monthly meetings. Participants will explore topics including local government, agriculture, education, healthcare, business and industry, public safety, economic development and community leadership through interactive sessions and site visits. The group will be traveling to Austin in the spring to visit with the legislators and senators and to see how they work for the county residents.
Leadership Montague County is designed for emerging and established leaders who have a desire to become more involved in improving the quality of life throughout Montague County.
Class size is limited, and early application is encouraged. For additional information or to request an application, contact: Leadership Montague County, j-hansard@tamu.edu or call 940-894-2831
Follow us on Facebook on Leadership Montague County
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS4 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News
-
NEWS3 years agoSheriff’s office called out to infant’s death







