OBITUARIES
Gary Dean Willett
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
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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