OBITUARIES

Jay Bill Norton

Published

12 months ago

07/23/2025

November 25, 1946 – July 16, 2025
NOCONA – Jay Bill Norton, 78, died on July 16, 2025.
He was born on Nov. 25,1946 in Walters, OK to J.D. and Beatrice Brown Norton. He grew up in Frederick, OK with his mom teaching and his dad coaching. He went to Southwestern Oklahoma State University to receive his bachelor’s degree in education. He went on to coach golf and football at Frederick High School and served in the U. S. Army Reserves as a Sargent for eight years.
After his coaching career, he went into farming and ranching for many years in Chattanooga, OK. During his ranching days, he met the love of his life, Sarah Goodner Smith. They married Jan. 4, 1985 and made their home in Burkburnett where he went to work for Carter Wind Systems engineering and installing wind turbines all over the states. He became a volunteer and served on the Board of Hands Up Food Bank and was a devoted member and president of the Board of Shady Grove Community Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Kristi Bales.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah Norton, Nocona, and a daughter, Laura Provence; four grandchildren, all of Wichita Falls; and six great grandchildren.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Shady Grove Community Church, Nocona Hills Volunteer Fire Dept. and Hands Up Food Bank in Nocona, TX.

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.