OBITUARIES

Robert Vernon Younker

Published

3 years ago

07/28/2023

May 17, 1941 – July 25, 2023
BOWIE – Robert Vernon Younker, 82, died on July 25, 2023 in Decatur.
A memorial graveside service will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 7 at Brushy Cemetery in Bowie.
He was born May 17, 1941 in San Bernardino, CA to Vernon and Joy (Smart) Younker. He graduated high school in 1959 in Fontana, CA. In 1960, Younker married Vivian Gatlin. He worked as a roofer from 1961 to 1990. In 1990 he moved to Joy, TX and worked for Bowie Lumber and Sutherland’s. He was a member of the Joy Baptist Church where he was active in teaching Sunday School.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Joy Younker; his father and mother-in-law; two brothers-in-law; two nephews and one grandson-in-law.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Vivian Gatlin Younker; children, Tara Carman, Victoria, TX, Tracie Johnson, Bluegrove, TX, Tessa Mitchell, Argyle and Robbie Younker, Bowie; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Steven Douglas Drury

Published

6 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

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.

OBITUARIES

John Wayne Shelton

Published

6 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

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.

OBITUARIES

Weldon Ray Duff

Published

6 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

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.