OBITUARIES

James E. Echols

Published

3 years ago

06/20/2023

December 7, 1944 – June 10, 2023
TERRAL, OK – James E. “Tiny” Echols passed away tragically on June 10, 2023 at the age of 78.
A funeral service under the direction of the Terral Funeral Home was at 1 p.m. on June 19 at the Assembly of God in Terral, OK. A graveside service followed at the Terral Cemetery where he was laid to rest next to his wife who he loved dearly.
James was born Dec. 7, 1944 in Waurika, OK. James is from Terral, OK where he lived most of his life. He was known for being a hard worker. He worked more than 30 years at Certainty where he retired at the age of 55. He was a family man through and through. Leaving school at a young age to work and help his family was just the start of it for James. He poured his all into his family, from his four sisters to his wife, five step, children whom he loved as his own, and the numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He leaves behind an abundance of memories to each and every person he met.
He spent summers planting and growing watermelons, cantaloupes and much more. He spent evenings watching WWE. Taking a cruise around his hometown and waving to all the families was one of his favorite things to do. James would spend his day, sun up to sun down, working alongside his best friend Billy Herron. James was a good, hardworking man all the way up to the end and he will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Charlene Echols; his parents, Irene and Paul Echols and best friend, Bill Herron.
He is survived by Hops, a man’s best friend; four sisters, Wanda Mayfield, Carolyn and Andy Godwin, Debbie and Terry Boaz and Suzy Mclendon and husband David Farley, all of Bowie; five step children, Gail and Marvin Garvis, Henrietta, Steven and Gail Harris, Ryan, OK, Cathy and Kim Barnes, Bowie, Randy Harris, Terral, OK and Rhonda and Dennis Renhack, Burkburnett; grandson, Brandon Pierce, Ryan, OK and great-grandchildren, Brittan and Braxton Pierce, Ryan, OK along with numerous other family and friends who loved him.
Arrangements entrusted to the Terral Funeral Home in Terral, OK.

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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.