OBITUARIES
Billy Joe James
April 21, 1941 – January 28, 2026
BOWIE – Billy Joe James, 84, passed away on Jan. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls, TX.
A visitation was on Feb. 4 at Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home. A funeral service was on Feb. 5 and burial followed at Jones Cemetery in Kendalia, TX.
Billy was born on April 21, 1941 in Lockett. He was the youngest of nine children of Alfred L. and Ethel James. Billy spent portions of his life living in Denton, Shoreacres and Kendalia, TX. A U.S. Army veteran and Second Lieutenant in the National Guard, Billy served as mayor of Shoreacres and was active in civic activities where he lived. He excelled in multiple fields including business, ranching and civic service. He founded Bee Jay Molding, a successful injection-molding business in the Houston and Boerne communities.
Preceded in death by his parents, siblings and a grandson.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jane; three children; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Billy is remembered as a dedicated family man, leader, mentor and friend.
Memorial donations may be made to Kendalia Volunteer Fire Department, Comfort Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
Services entrusted to Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home. To leave a condolence for the family please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Teresa Naomi Adams
November 11, 1964 – April 18, 2026
BOWIE – Teresa Naomi Adams, 61, died on April 18, 2026.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on April 27 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on April 28 at the New Covenant Family Church in Bowie with the Rev. Paul Moore officiating. The burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 11, 1964 in Exeter, CA and attended school in Bowie. She dedicated many years of her life to her career as a certified nursing assistant.
She is preceded in death by her father, Jim Pike and grandparents.
She is survived by her children, Shawn Holt, Bowie and Amber Holt, Wichita, KS; mother, Alice Pike, Bowie; five grandchildren; brothers, David Pike, Bowie, Jimmy “Dewey” Pike, Bowie and Johnny Holt, Sherman; sister, Melissa Diannitto-Smith AR; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
OBITUARIES
Frances Marie Baker
January 8, 1934 – April 11, 2026
DECATUR – Frances Marie Baker, 92 died on April 11, 2026 in Decatur, TX.
There was a graveside service at 2 p.m. on April 20 at the Spanish Fort Cemetery officiated by her family.
She was born on January 8, 1934 in Spanish Fort to Charlie Lloyd and Detolia Cain Williams. She worked most of her life as a telephone operator in Nocona. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger sister, Bonnie York.
She is survived by her daughter, Beth Hudson, Brock; three grandsons; three great grandchildren and a niece.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The American Macular Degeneration Foundation at the AMDF website.
OBITUARIES
Flora Faye Ridinger
August 20, 1931 – April 15, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Flora Faye Ridinger, 94, died on April 15, 2026, in Nocona, TX.
The family received friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on April 19 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on April 20 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
The burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
She was born Aug. 20, 1931 in Jester, OK to Howard and Laura (Nippert) Griffin. She lived in Bowie until 1992, when she married Herbert Ridinger. She worked at Walmart as a door greeter until she was 85 years old.
She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Bowie, until moving to Wichita Falls and joining the Western Hills Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; stepmother; first husband, Charles Davis; a special friend; second husband, Hebert Ridinger; fiancé, John Bowers; brother, Will Griffin and a stepson.
She is survived by her son, Michael Davis; daughter, Debbie Jones; sister, Frances Morelock; three stepchildren; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; six step grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren; a stepsister, and numerous niece and nephews.
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