OBITUARIES

Gary Dean Willett

Published

3 years ago

05/12/2023

February 8, 1961 – May 7, 2023
Bowie – Gary Dean Willett, 62, went home to be with the Lord on May 7, 2023 in Shreveport, LA.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 11 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service was at 2 p.m. on May 12 at Lighthouse Assembly in Bowie with Rex Hamilton as the officiant. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Gary was born on Feb. 8, 1961 in Bowie to Ronnie Kerr and Doris June (Whitson) Willett, He was the oldest of 12 children. He attended school in Bowie and was baptized as a young adult at Bible Baptist Church.
On Oct. 7, 1979 Gary married the love of his life, Darlene Rose Hennigan and together they worked and raised their six children to whom they were blessed. Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing and having big cookouts with family and friends. He really enjoyed his grandchildren and loved hearing them all call him papa.
Gary was a hard worker. He started working with his dad in the oilfield and ended in the oilfield with his present employer Patterson UTI. In between he worked for Darr, Pizza Inn and owned B&W Tire, but he always worked.
Gary was a good husband, great dad, brother, uncle and the best Papa ever. He never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ronnie and Doris Willett and youngest brother, Artie Willett.
Gary is survived by his wife of 44 years, Darlene; children, Leroy Willett and wife Melanie, Daniel Willett and wife Kelli, Samuel Willett and wife Hanna, Matthew Willett, Conrad Willett and Lydia Cardoza and husband Edward; grandchildren, Katie, Kylie, KK, Kyler, Kegan, Karman, Zane, Asher, Ronan, Brookelyn, Brylie, Baylie, Bryson, Selah, Henson, Ava, Gary, Nicholas, Violet, Eden and one on the way; brothers, Anthony and wife Mary, Ronnie and wife Angela, David and wife Shelly and Ocie and wife Gandy; sisters, Tammie and husband Jimmy Reyes, Kim and husband Kyle Rater, Judy and husband Steven LaPorte, Sherry and husband Walter Moore, Julie and husband Monty Dawson and Rhonda and husband David Pierce; sister-in-law, Teresa Willett and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Paid publication

1418 Highway 59 N. Bowie, Texas | (940)-872-9993

OBITUARIES

Steven Douglas Drury

Published

7 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

7 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

7 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.