OBITUARIES

Raymond “Ray” Weldon Ashley

Published

9 months ago

11/05/2025

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

OBITUARIES

Steven Douglas Drury

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.