OBITUARIES
Billy Wayne Edwards, Sr.

July 11, 1941 – July 9, 2024
QUANNAH – Billy Wayne Edwards, Sr., 82, died July 9, 2024 in Wichita hospice facility.
A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Aug. 10 at Goodlett Reformed Baptist Church. Burial will be in Crosbyton Cemetery on Aug. 11. A visitation will be after the burial from 2:30 to 4 p m. at the Senior Citizen Center in Crosbyton.
He was born July 11, 1941 in Quanah to the late Lois and Esta Lee Gorley Edwards. The family moved from Quanah to Cone in his early teenage years. He attended school in Rails, where he and two brothers played on the football team. Team players and fans gave him the nickname “Dynamo Edwards.” Throughout his high school years he was awarded first team offense and defense in District 4A and was voted twice as All State Tackle. During his sophomore year in 1957, his team, the Ralls Jackrabbits, won district for the first time since 1924. Edwards played in the Greenbelt Bowl in 1960. He also won state in shot-put.
He graduated from Ralls High School and attended college on a football scholarship. He had 21 offers from colleges for him to play football. He chose West Texas State College in Canyon. During his second year of college he had a back injury while working at the potato shed, ending his football career and dreams of playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
He was a mechanic most of his adult life working on cars, tractors and lawnmowers. He retired from Trumph Seed in Ralls and was a member of several organizations including the Lions Club.
He married Bonnie Dell Mason on Nov. 24, 1960 and the couple were married 55 years. He then married Caroline Ritchie Robinson on July 28, 2018, moving back to his birth town.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Norma Lee and Glenda; two brothers, Garland and Charles; one step-son and his first wife, Bonnie.
Survivors include his wife, Caroline; daughter, Judy, Lubbock; son, Billy, Jr., Bowie; two step-daughters; one step-son; one bonus daughter; two brothers, Marvin and Dee of Paris; 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to one of the following: Goodlett Reformed Baptist Churchof Quannah; Quanah Senior Citizens; Hospice of Wichita Falls; Rathgaber Hospitality House of Wichita Falls; Crosbyton Senior Citizens or Crosbyton Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Falls Funeral Home of Wichita Falls.
OBITUARIES
Wade Shelton

November 24, 1929 – April 28, 2025
NOCONA – Wade Shelton, 95, died on April 28, 2025 in Bowie.
A visitation was at 11 a.m. on May 3 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service followed at 2 p.m. at the gazebo at Molsbee Chapel Cemetery on May 5 officiated by Pastor Phillip Weitner.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1929 in Nocona to Walter Shelton and Mildred Kidwell Shelton. He was a hard-worker most of his life working mostly as an industrial machine mechanic and also managing the drive-in movie theater in Nocona. He was a member, deacon and sometimes ministered at Molsbee Chapel Church of the Brethren. He married Thelma Wright on Nov. 24, 1956 in Lubbock. She preceded him in death in 2012.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Weldon Shelton and Paul Shelton; and sisters, Oleta and Bonnie Baggett.
He is survived by his children, Serina Thomas, Bowie, John Shelton, Sunset and Steve Holcomb, Nocona; four grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
OBITUARIES
Fern Hollaway Caswell

July 7, 1925 – April 28, 2025
BOWIE – Fern Hollaway Caswell passed on April 28, 2025 at the age of exactly 99 years, nine months and three weeks.
A graveside service took place at 11 a.m. on May 1 at Sunset Cemetery in Sunset with Doyle Wade officiating.
Fern was born at her parents’ home just outside of Sunset on July 7, 1925, she was the youngest child and only daughter of J. A. (Jim) Hollaway and Arah Sigler Hollaway. Growing up with three older brothers, she learned quite early on how to hold her own when faced with difficulties. She graduated from Sunset High School as the salutatorian of the Class of 1941. While in school, she was a talented and celebrated volleyball player on winning teams coached by J. I. (Speck) Caswell, the man who would eventually become her husband of 48 years.
Before her marriage, Fern worked at what is now known as the North Texas State Hospital, Wichita Falls Campus, first on the wards and eventually in the business office. After her marriage, the birth of the couple’s children, and the family’s move to Alvord in 1954, she devoted herself to rearing her daughters and working alongside her husband on the family ranch.
After the girls left home, she worked for the Lorch Company, managing their outlet stores in Decatur and Gainesville until the company closed. After her husband’s death, she began a long and varied career at DFW International Airport, driving carts and working in customs and security, all jobs which clearly suited her love of people watching. After getting up at 2 a.m. and driving to the airport three days a week for many years, she eventually retired at 89. Regardless of when and where she was working, she was always Granny and always available to the grandsons and great grandchildren she adored.
An excellent seamstress, Fern had a strong work ethic and a keen fashion sense, both of which she imparted to her daughters. An avid reader of biographies, she was also a lover of all animals, particularly Siamese cats. A longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Alvord, she also served as the District President of the Parent-Teachers Association of Texas.
Fern was predeceased by her husband; parents; three brothers, Berniece, Clay and Harold Hollaway; niece, Deanna Hollaway Hooper and great-niece, Tonya Davis Wallum.
She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Lana Caswell-Garcia and H.S. (Bert) Garcia, Sherman and Karen Caswell Fowler and Donald Fowler, Chico; grandsons, Wes Fowler, and Kase Fowler and his wife Leslie Bain Fowler, all of Alvord; and great grandchildren, Rachae Fowler Richey and her husband Senior Airman Hunter Richey, Colorado Springs and Keegan Fowler, Alvord; nephews, Billy Dean Hollaway and his wife Sheri, North Little Rock, AR, Bernis Hollaway, Carr, CO and Bruce Hollaway, Buena Vista, AR; and several great and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Gary Leo Fergueson

November 11, 1944 – April 19, 2025
BELLEVUE – Gary Leo Fergueson, 80, died on April 19, 2025.
A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on April 24 at Vashti Cemetery with Michael Brannon and Jeff Brannon officiating.
He was born on Nov. 11, 1944 to Vera (Chappell) and Lewis Fergueson. He worked in the food and grocery industry at multiple store chains beginning in Fort Worth and ending in Bowie. He also worked as a rancher at his family farm in Vashti. Fergueson proudly served his country in the United States Army, he completed his basic training in San Fransico and was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Alta Fergueson Brannon.
He is survived by his nephew, Jeff Brannon; niece, Krista Brannon Blackrock; brother-in-law Michael Brannon and a very special friend of 60 years, Helen Ulbig.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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