OBITUARIES
Raymond “Ray” Weldon Ashley
August 27, 1942 – May 20, 2025
Illinois Bend-Raymond “Ray” Weldon Ashley, 82, died on May 20, 2025 at his home.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the Illinois Bend Schoolhouse.
He was born in 1942 in Muenster to Noble Preston Ashley and Velma Modine Reed Ashley, in the medical clinic that is currently Doc’s Bar and Grill.
In 1963 he graduated with a major in English from The University of North Texas. Shortly after college graduation, he reported to San Antonio for Air Force Officers’ Training School. He and Cecilia were married on Dec. 19, 1964 and moved to South Dakota. His U.S. duty stations included Ellsworth Airforce Base in South Dakota; Vandenburg AFB and Norton AFB in California; Carswell AFB in Texas; Omaha Nebraska as ROTC instructor; and Washington D.C. to work in the Pentagon.
He recieved the honors of the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force achievement award, expert marksmanship ribbon, outstanding unit award for Valor and National Defense Service medal. From the Republic of Vietnam, he was decorated with a Gallantry Cross, Campaign Medal and Honors Medal First Class. After 23 years of service, he moved back to Montague County. He had a book published titled, “Old School Scholastics: A History of Education in Saint Jo, Texas 1872-1922,” in 1995.
He was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Wayne Ashley; nephew, Joshua Simon Ashley; and parents, Noble and Velma Ashley.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Cecilia Boyd Ashley; daughters, Audrey Bolton and Laura Laing; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brother, Melvin Ashley; a niece; and two nephews; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in law as well as numerous nieces and nephews on the Boyd side of family, and several cousins on the Reed side of family.
The full obituary for Raymond Ashley can be found at www.scottfhsj.com
October 27, 1977 – August 23, 2026
BOWIE – Kassie Marrie Lovell, 49, died on Aug. 23, 2026.
The family has chosen arrangements with cremation.
She was born on Oct. 27, 1977 in Decatur to Dub and Sandra (Sutton) Lovell.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents.
She is survived by her sisters, Tonya Lovell and Linda Sutton; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, who will carry her memory in their hearts.
Arrangements entrusted to White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
June 26, 1977 – August 27, 2026
BOWIE – Jeff Reese Hickman Brown, 49, died on August 27, 2026.
The family has chosen arrangements with cremation.
He was born June 26, 1977 in Bowie to Jay Brown and Melinda Wise. He worked as a handyman and a roofer.
He was preceded in death by his father, Steve Hickman; a cousin; two sets of grandparents and a grandfather.
He is survived by his mother, Melinda Davis, Bowie; brother, Davey Hickman, Bowie, two nieces and one sister.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
May 12, 1954 – August 28, 2026
NOCONA – Gary C. Robertson, 72, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Nocona, TX.
A visitation will be from 5-6 p.m. on Sept. 4 at the Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Sept. 5 at the Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Spanish Fory Cemetery
He was born May 12, 1954 in Colorado to Avis and Donna Donnell Robertson and was a 1972 graduate of Nocona High School. He established Robertson Well Service, owning and servicing wells throughout the Nocona area during the 1970’s and 1980’s. He spent the past several years pumping for Davis and Salmon. He served with the Nocona Volunteer Fire Department. On Aug. 10, 1973, he married Bonnie Mitchell at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona. Together, they shared more than 53 years of marriage.
He preceded in death by his parents, Avis and Donna Robertson and brothers, Terry Don Robertson and Randall Robertson.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie Robertson, Nocona; brother, Duane Robertson, Nocona; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members who loved him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nocona Rural Fire Department, P.O. Box 55, Nocona.
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