OBITUARIES

Billy Wayne Edwards, Sr.

Published

2 years ago

08/02/2024

July 11, 1941 – July 9, 2024
QUANNAH – Billy Wayne Edwards, Sr., 82, died July 9, 2024 in Wichita hospice facility.
A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Aug. 10 at Goodlett Reformed Baptist Church. Burial will be in Crosbyton Cemetery on Aug. 11. A visitation will be after the burial from 2:30 to 4 p m. at the Senior Citizen Center in Crosbyton.
He was born July 11, 1941 in Quanah to the late Lois and Esta Lee Gorley Edwards. The family moved from Quanah to Cone in his early teenage years. He attended school in Rails, where he and two brothers played on the football team. Team players and fans gave him the nickname “Dynamo Edwards.” Throughout his high school years he was awarded first team offense and defense in District 4A and was voted twice as All State Tackle. During his sophomore year in 1957, his team, the Ralls Jackrabbits, won district for the first time since 1924. Edwards played in the Greenbelt Bowl in 1960. He also won state in shot-put.
He graduated from Ralls High School and attended college on a football scholarship. He had 21 offers from colleges for him to play football. He chose West Texas State College in Canyon. During his second year of college he had a back injury while working at the potato shed, ending his football career and dreams of playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
He was a mechanic most of his adult life working on cars, tractors and lawnmowers. He retired from Trumph Seed in Ralls and was a member of several organizations including the Lions Club.
He married Bonnie Dell Mason on Nov. 24, 1960 and the couple were married 55 years. He then married Caroline Ritchie Robinson on July 28, 2018, moving back to his birth town.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Norma Lee and Glenda; two brothers, Garland and Charles; one step-son and his first wife, Bonnie.
Survivors include his wife, Caroline; daughter, Judy, Lubbock; son, Billy, Jr., Bowie; two step-daughters; one step-son; one bonus daughter; two brothers, Marvin and Dee of Paris; 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to one of the following: Goodlett Reformed Baptist Churchof Quannah; Quanah Senior Citizens; Hospice of Wichita Falls; Rathgaber Hospitality House of Wichita Falls; Crosbyton Senior Citizens or Crosbyton Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Falls Funeral Home of Wichita Falls.

OBITUARIES

Maggie Killen

Published

13 hours ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.

OBITUARIES

Sammy Joe Mitchell

Published

13 hours ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.

OBITUARIES

Lesli Jan Phipps

Published

13 hours ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.