OBITUARIES
Billy “Bill” Junior Reaves
October 19, 1934 – May 12, 2023
BOWIE – Billy “Bill” Junior Reaves, 88, went home to be with the Lord on May 12, 2023 in Decatur.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 15 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A graveside service was at 10 a.m. on May 16 at Brushy Cemetery with Chris Osborne and Ken Goodson as the officiants.
Bill was born Oct. 19, 1934 in Post Oak, TX to Gilbert Franklin and Ida Marie (Middlebrooks) Reaves. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1953. On Oct. 26, 1968 Bill married Louise Edgin in Bowie. Bill enjoyed carpentry and ranching. He worked for Ranch House Western Wear in Bowie for many years, as well as a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician for the City of Bowie. He was a devoted husband and father and will be remembered with love and appreciation.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gib and Ida Reaves; infant daughter, Leaha Reaves; brother, Sydney Reaves; sisters, Ruby Gilmore and Annlee Garrett and granddaughter, Stacy Blake.
Bill is survived by his wife, Louise Reaves, Bowie; children, Elizabeth Hale, Garland, Rebecca Brooks and husband Kevin, Bowie and Jaret Reaves and wife Lisa, Gainesville; grandchildren, Shane Hale and wife Julia, Cassiopeia Beasley and husband Vester, Kolton Brooks and wife Sadi, Krista Brooks, Kevin Clay Brooks and wife Mercedes, Kenlea Reaves and Macey Reaves; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Herbert Reaves, Bowie and George A. Reaves, San Angelo; sister, Emma Mae Large, Bowie and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
February 9, 1968 – July 4, 2026
BOWIE – Steven Douglas Drury, 58 died on July 4, 2026.
A private celebration of life for the family was on July 10.
He was an entrepreneur and created his business Drill Rig Depot.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Drury; four children, Sydney, Ben, Bailey and Josie; six grandchildren; parents, Don and Lois Drury; and brothers, David, Danny and Christopher.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
December 22, 1959 – July 1, 2026
SUNSET – John Wayne Shelton, 66, died on July 1, 2026.
There was a celebration of life for him from 5 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Nocona Brewery.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1959 to Wade and Thelma Shelton in Nocona. He worked in the oilfield most of his life. He married Stephanie Burleson on Dec. 13, 1984 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his children, Jared Shelton, Bowie and Stacia Lorenz, Tennessee; sister, Serina Thomas, Bowie; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial donations made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
March 3, 1962 – July 6, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Weldon Ray Duff, 64, died on July 6, 2026.
There was a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Jerry Woods Chapel in Nocona. A graveside service was at 10 a.m. on July 11 at Ringgold Cemetery with Richard Allen officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike Bonham, Jimmy Smith, Hatch Womack, Lynn Bugsy Allen, Blake Allen, Marlin Franklin, Joe Barnhill and Butch Matthews.
Duff was born on March 3, 1962 in Henrietta to Benjamin Franklin Duff Jr. and Myra Durham Duff. He worked as a machinist and was known as a “Jack-Of-All-Trades.”
Duff was a member of Bowie Masonic Lodge 578. He married Jowana Bussey on Aug. 8, 1980 in Ringgold.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Jowana Duff, Ringgold; daughter, Jessica Lierly, Collinsville; sister, Becky Case, Stoneburg; brother, Benjamin Franklin Duff III, Lonegrove, OK and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 440 Cypress Ave., Wichita Falls or Ringgold Cemetery Association, 1108 Hanson Rd., Ringgold.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
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