OBITUARIES
Paul Wells
MONTAGUE – Paul Wells, 86, went to his Heavenly home on Dec. 23, 2022 in Bowie.
A celebration of his life took place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 29 at the First Baptist Church in Montague with pastor Mickey Miller as the officiant. Burial followed at the Montague Cemetery. The family received friends from 1 – 2 p.m. prior to the service at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall.
Paul was born in Beeville, TX to Ed and Jewel Smith Wells and was the eldest of six children. When he was only a few weeks old, the family moved to Orr, OK, later to Stoneburg and eventually to Bowie. He found it necessary to quit school after eighth grade in order to work and help support his family.
In 1956 Paul married Frances Palmer and from this union were born three children, Charley, Paula and Kenneth. He later married Mary Francis Guilliams on Feb. 21, 1970 thus adding her seven children, Andy, Randy, Dale, Dean, April, Patty and Jeff to the home. Paul was a dedicated father and provider for his family and a loving husband to Mary for 45 years, until her passing in 2015. He again found love with his sweetheart Carolyn Guilliams, where they enjoyed companionship for more than six years, until her recent passing.
Paul was a backhoe operator from the age of 21 until his retirement. He took pride in his work and was well known in the area for his exceptional skill. He enjoyed working and if anyone asked what his occupation was, he’d smile and say that he liked to play in the dirt all day. Paul retired from Energy Well Service in 2014 at the age of 78. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed time with his family and his church family. He was ordained a deacon in the First Baptist Church on Sept. 19, 2021.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Archie Wells, Gene Wells, Velda Swaim and JoGrace Barker; son, Dean Duke; grandsons, Johnny Duke, Dusty Tucker and Jarrett Duke and sweetheart, Carolyn Guilliams.
Paul is survived by his children, Andy Duke, Montague, Randy Duke and wife Cheryl, Plantersville, Charley Wells, Holliday, Dale Duke and wife Danna, Andrews, Paula Lovelace, Wichita Falls, April Decker and husband Clay, Alva, OK, Kenneth Wells and wife Traci, Saint Jo and Patty Tucker and husband Carl, Bowie; 28 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren and sister, Ruby Byrne, Wichita Falls as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
His gentle nature, honest character, hard work ethic and faith in God will be his lasting legacy. Paul will be greatly missed but we know he is standing straight and tall with his loved ones in Heaven and “good Lord willin”, we’ll see him again some day.
The family would like to thank the staff at Advanced Rehab in Bowie for their kind caring of their Dad and Pawpaw these last few weeks.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Montague Cemetery Association or First Baptist Church of Montague.
Services are under the direction of Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
Paid publication
November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.
June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.
November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.
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