OBITUARIES
John Claudus (J.C.) Stephens
January 30, 1936 – June 2, 2023
SAINT JO – John Claudus (J.C.) Stephens passed away peacefully at home on June 2, 2023 at the age of 87 after a brief illness.
The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on June 4 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on June 5 at the Carter Lake Road Church of Christ in Bowie, with David Hall and Jon Page as the officiants. Pallbearers were Charles Stephens, Michael E. Stephens, Michael D. Stephens, Cameron Turner, Liam Turner and Fred Bost. Burial followed at Greenbrier Cemetery near Nocona.
J.C. was born Jan. 30, 1936 near Capps Corner (Montague County) to Charles Harmon Stephens and Zela Marguerite Walters Stephens. He graduated from Capps Corner High School and went to work in the oil field. Later he worked building the B-58 for Convair. He also served as a Warrant Office for Saginaw. He finished 36 years at Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth where he retired. J.C. returned to where his family started in Saint Jo, revisiting many friends and igniting new relationships. He was a member of Freemasonry.
He married Beverly Denton on June 17, 1957 in Bowie and they had two sons, Charles and Michael. Family was important to J.C. He enjoyed family outings and reunions. He always was willing to help family and friends. For many years he would help his father move houses on his weekends off. Being mechanically minded, he could operate and repair any machine or vehicle. This aptitude swayed some family and friends in their career choices.
J. C. and Beverly enjoyed camping in Colorado and other places in the States. He earned his Private Pilot’s license and had several airplanes through the years which he enjoyed. He wanted his family to enjoy planes and ensured that Beverly and the boys were able to earn their licenses. They attended many airshows and eventually joined the Commemorative Air Force where he marshaled at air shows. Beverly also became a leader in the Women’s Pilots organization, the “99’s.”
He enjoyed his church family. J.C. had a strong faith in the Lord and was willing to witness to others. He finished the vision his parents had in donating property to their church home. After a life of hard work and servant attitude the Lord has surely welcomed him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Zela Stephens; brothers, Ace and Benny Stephens and sister, Betty Brady.
J.C. is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, Charles Stephens and wife Shirley; son, Michael Stephens; grandson, Michael D. Stephens; granddaughters, Stacy Snyder and Terri Turner; five great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Mary ‘Anna’ Lyon
December 20, 1936 – December 26, 2024
BOWIE – Mary “Anna” Lyon, 88, died on Dec. 26, 2024 in Wichita Falls.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2025, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie with Pastor Dwyane Lamberson officiating.
She was born Dec. 20, 1936, in Levelland, to Charlie and Myrtle (New) Vinyard. She married Ervin Lyon on June 5, 1954, and spent her days as a homemaker, raising their two sons.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; five brothers and four sisters.
She is survived by her sons, Danny Lyon and Joe Lyon, both of Bowie; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Patsy Salter, Lubbock and Martha Turnbow, Gatesville and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
OBITUARIES
Stacy Ray Trayler
September 18, 1969 – December 1, 2024
SUNSET – Stacy Ray Trayler, 55, died Dec. 1, in Denton surrounded by family.
A visitation for family and friends will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 11. There will be a private graveside service at a later date.
Trayler was born on Sept. 18, 1969 in Muenster to Raymond and Joyce Trayler. He spent his life working in the oil field as a driller and driving a truck.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Trayler and Joyce Collier Trayler and brother, Jerry Trayler.
Trayler is survived by his children, Vanessa Clark, Bowie, Vincent Trayler, Oklahoma City and Val Trayler, Terral, OK; one brother, Michial Trayler, Heavener, OK; sisters, Raenell DeSoza, Sunset and Annie Ross, Bowie; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home, Bowie.
OBITUARIES
Donald Ray Taylor
January 20, 1938 – December 21, 2024
NOCONA – Donald Ray Taylor, 86, died on Dec. 21, 2024 in Nocona.
A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 27 at Nocona Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tom Skinner, Steve Tettleton, Bob Langford, Jon Dunfee, Manuel Sanchez and Coley Frye. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Bennett, Mike Henry, Chris Tettleton and Toby Howard.
He was born to Johnny and Ozella Lewis Taylor on Jan. 20, 1938. A lifelong resident of Nocona, he never met a stranger, loving to tell stories and laugh.
Taylor married Patsy Cheshier on Aug. 25, 1965 in Nocona. They went on to raise two children. Taylor also was a proud veteran of the United States Army.
Taylor worked several years for Bowie Industries before going to work for Nocona Independent School District, where he became the supervisor of maintenance and transportation until he retired in 1999. This Nocona native enjoyed coaching his son’s little league teams, golfing with his wife and friends and all sports were a big part of his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patsy and son, Brad.
He is survived by his children, Jeff Taylor, Orange Grove, TX, John Taylor, Christoval, TX and Kim Taylor, Dallas; two grandchildren, two great grandchildren and his dog Buddy.
In lieu of flowers the family ask donations be made to St. Jude Hospital.
Arrangements were under the direction of Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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