OBITUARIES

John Weldon Johnson Jr.

Published

10 months ago

10/08/2025

March 30, 1948 – October 5, 2025
MONTAGUE – John Weldon Johnson Jr., 77, died on Oct.5, 2025.
A celebration of life will be at a later date.
He was born in Saint Jo on March 30, 1948 to John Weldon “Boots” Johnson Sr. and Mary Alberta (MeeMaw) Melson Johnson. He was raised between Texas and Oklahoma and took on the role of raising his three brothers, Paul Johnson, Ronald Ray Johnson Sr. and James William “Jimmy” Johnson Sr., who later found their way to Waco at The Methodist Home. He attended Richfield College in Waco. He met the love of his life, Vickie Faye Abbott, at the Saint Jo skating rink. They married on Aug. 20, 1976 and built their home in Montague County. Together they raised three children: James Johnson, Kimberly Johnson and Amy Johnson Woods.
He worked most of his life at Bowie Industries before retiring, and later worked the night shift at Walmart as a janitor. He later took on mowing jobs, including the Montague Cemetery grounds.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Paul “Tony” Johnson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Vickie Faye Abbott Johnson; son, James Cluren (J.C.) Johnson; daughters, Kimberly Annie Johnson and Amy Nikole Johnson Woods; five grandchildren; brothers, Ronald Ray Johnson Sr., Montague and; and James William “Jimmy” Johnson Sr., Alvord; and many neices and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.

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.