OBITUARIES
Thomas “Gary” Vaughn
May 12, 1946 – September 12, 2023
BELLEVUE – Thomas “Gary” Vaughn, 77 of Bellevue passed away at his home, surrounded by his family on Sept. 12, 2023.
Family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 14, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. Funeral services was at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15 at the Bellevue United Methodist Church, with Pastor Greg Parr officiating. Burial followed at Bellevue Cemetery.
Gary was born May 12, 1946 in Bowie to Ida Mae (Hunt) Vaughn McWilliams. He attended Bellevue and Bowie schools, graduating from Bellevue High School in 1964, where he excelled in baseball, football, and basketball. He received many sports awards culminating being named All American Honorable Mention in Basketball in 1964.
Gary enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation, serving 7 years. He was deployed as a communication specialist to Tan Son Nhut, during the Vietnam War.
On June 27, 1986, Gary married the love of his life, Cindy (Orton) Erwin in Henrietta. They resided in Bellevue, until his passing. He was a role model to all the children, grandkids and great-grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Ida Mae McWilliams, brothers Joe and Jackie, and grandson, Britt Williams.
His family, continuing to carry on his memory, includes his beloved wife, Cindy; children, Dana Williams and husband Mark, Burleson, Joe Erwin and wife Charlotte, Mineral Wells, Ronnie Erwin and fiance Mollie Carpenter, Bowie; siblings Beverly Myers and husband Steve, Bowie and Lanny Hunt , Bowie; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, memorials can be made in honor of Gary to the Bellevue Ex-Students Association Scholarship at 2405 Kell Blvd. Suite 100 Wichita Falls, TX 76308 or the Bellevue Methodist Church at P.O. Box 245 Bellevue, TX 76228.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid Publication
OBITUARIES
Steven Douglas Drury
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
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
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.
-
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
-
NEWS3 years agoSheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News









