OBITUARIES
Bobby “Bob” Ray Vinyard
May 8, 1940 – February 1, 2024
BOWIE – Bobby “Bob” Ray Vinyard, 83, went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 1, 2024.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 10 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie with Dr. Tony Rogers officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
“Granddaddy” was born May 8, 1940 in Levelland, TX to Charlie Edward and Myrtle Mae (New) Vinyard. On March 29, 1959, Bob married Elsie Connor in Levelland and together they enjoyed raising three girls. In 1974 the family moved to Irving and Granddaddy owned and operated Vinyard Backhoe Service for many years.
In 2001 the couple made their home in Bowie where he managed all the car washes for 12 years. In his free time, Granddaddy could be found tinkering in his shop or sitting by the fire pit. Together Bob and Elsie loved camping and traveling, and were members of the Cracker Town Camping Group. He was a longtime member of the Southside Baptist Church in Bowie.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elsie Vinyard; daughter, Cozette Vinyard; four brothers and four sisters.
Granddaddy is survived by his daughters, Chantel Housour and husband D.J, Bowie and Tracy Harlow and husband Joel, Mabank, TX; grandchildren, Dusty Buchanan and husband John, Fort Worth, Trey Pierce, Fort Worth, Coy Cooley and wife Candice, Lewisville, Justin Housour and wife Maddison, Melissa, TX, Jerrod Housour and wife Allison, Argyle, Conor Cooley, Bowie, B.J. Harlow, Mabank, Ryan Harlow, Philadelphia, Katy Montoya and husband Ricardo, Oklahoma City and Elodie Housour, Bowie; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Anna Lyon, Bowie, Martha Turnbow, Gatesville, TX and Patsy Salter, Lubbock and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
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.
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.
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.
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