Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 18 April 1999 Submitted by Charlene Beatty Beauchamp cbodessa@classicnet.net Thanks to the Odessa American Online http://www.oaoa.com/ ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** OA Online Obituaries. April 18, 1999 Permian Basin Obituaries _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA -- William Bluitt (W.B.) Crow died at MedicalCenter Hospital Friday, April 16, 1999. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday, April 19, at University Park Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Witherspoon officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Bluitt was born Feb. 22, 1902,in Ellis County, near Waxahachie. He married Tennie Mae Kiker in Roby on Nov. 5,1927. She preceded him in death on July 17, 1989. One daughter, Virginia Ann Perry, also preceded him in death on July 5, 1986. He was a longtime resident after moving to Odessa in 1937. He worked as a highway construction operator and later built many roads, tank batteries and oil well locations in the Permian Basin until his retirement. He was a charter member of University Park Baptist Church, where he served as a greeter until recently. For years, he was a Sunday School teacher for 16-year-old boys at Eastside Baptist Church and served on several committees. He is survived by his daughter, Vanna Lou Wortham and husband Byron; six grandchildren, Jamie Monahan and husband Walt of Odessa, Richard Wortham and wife Pam of Austin, Mike Wortham and wife Jana of Lubbock, Leslie Woodfin and husband Cody of Gardendale, Pat Perry and wife Lesia of Rowlett and Beth Perry of Ruidoso, N.M. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Erin Wortham of Austin, Byron Monahan of Odessa, and Dalton and Casey Woodfin of Gardendale. Mr. Crow is also survived by his sister, Learline Wilson of Midland. Daddy loved the Lord and was faithful to his church until two weeks ago. Papaw, as he was known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, loved to watch them in sports and their activities. We will all miss him greatly. _________________________________________________________________ H. Que McMaster Sr. LAKE JACKSON -- H. Que McMaster, 81, of West Columbia, formerly of Monahans, passed away Thursday, April 8, 1999, at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston. Que was a Gunner's Mate in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He retired from Gulf Pipeline Company after 38 years of service. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret Elisabeth McMaster of West Columbia; four children, Ann B. Ogden and husband, Buz, of West Columbia, H. Que McMaster Jr. and wife, Cheri, of Cameron, Michael A. McMaster of Georgetown and Walter T. McMaster and wife, Pam, of Georgetown; eight grandchildren, Eddie and Robin, Herb and Jennifer, Michael and Mitch and DeeDee and Shelley; nine great-grandchildren; and sister, Myrtle Larson of Gilliam, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Ethal McMaster; and stepmother, Iva McMaster. Services were Sunday, April 11, at Lakewood Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Rex Carlton of the Columbia United Methodist Church officiating. Interment was in Restwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were, Eddie Kotis, Herb McMaster, Michael McMaster, Mitchell McMaster, Dr. Keith Hale and Cody Hawes. Honorary pallbearers were W.R. Dudley and Buz Ogden. Funeral arrangements by Lakewood Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Edward L. Roskelley, longtime Odessa resident and broadcaster, died Friday, April 16,1999, at his residence. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, April 19, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2011 N. Washington St. in Odessa with burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. Mr. Roskelley was born Jan. 17, 1923, in Brigham City, Utah, to Charles Ora Roskelley and Laura Lovendale Roskelley. He was valedictorian of his 1940 class at East High School in Salt Lake City. He attended Utah State University and Harvard University. Mr. Roskelley began his broadcasting career in Logan, Utah, and later worked as an announcer at WEEI Boston, WKBW and WBNY Buffalo, KBYE Oklahoma City, KEYS and KSIX Corpus Christi and KGKO Dallas. He also worked on the Arthur Godfrey radio show and as a commentator for the Boston Red Sox in the 1940s. In 1957, Mr. Roskelley moved to Odessa and founded radio station KOYL, the first country and western station in the area. From 1957 to 1979, many Odessans listened to the familiar voice of "Ross the Boss" on the radio. In 1965,he added KOYL-FM, and was one of the first people in the country to fully automate a radio station. He also had one of the first recording studios in the area and made it available to local talent. In 1991,he founded KMRK-FM, the first Tejano FM station in the area, which he owned until his retirement in 1996. Mr. Roskelley loved Odessa and its friendly people. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Texas Association of Broadcasters, National Association of Broadcasters, Mensa, and lifetime member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers. His interests included flying, photography and ham radio. He loved to read and always encouraged education and excellence, hard work and new ideas in those around him. He is survived by one son, Patrick Roskelley of Traverse City, Mich.; and two daughters, Laura Marble of Fort Worth and Mary Ann White of Lewisville. One son, Tom Roskelley, died in 1994. Survivors also include sisters Mary Carruth and Eunice Carn, both of Ogden, Utah; brothers, Lowell Roskelley of Ogden, Utah, Rigby Roskelley of Chandlerville, Ill., Dean Roskelley of Paradise, Calif.; and 12 grandchildren, Eric, Ian, Michael and Susan Roskelley, Madelyn, Jeff, Jon and Grant Marble and Nathan, Kristin, Emily and Lindsey White. Special thanks to Ron Harris, Betty Henderson and Veronica Rodriguez for their compassionate care in recent months. _________________________________________________________________ Jeryl Donnie Hillis, 60, went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on April 15, 1999. He had fought a valiant fight against cancer for six years. But God decided he needed him in heaven. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Jeryl was a deacon at the church that he loved, Belmont Baptist Church. He was always willing to work and do what was needed of him. Jeryl worked for TU Electric for 32 years, then after his retirement went to work for Sentry Service. Jeryl was never one to be idle and was always working. He is survived by Sharon Kay, his wife of 38 years; one daughter and her husband, Jackie and Mike Kerley; and Jeryl's precious grandchildren, Heather and Caleb; one son, Kevin Hillis and Jeryl's precious granddaughter, Kirsten; brothers, James E. Hillis of Odessa, Gary L. Hillis of Comanche and Michael E. Hillis of Greeley, Colo.; sister, Mitsy J. Cleveland of Brownwood; and by all the nieces and nephews that he loved. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, April 19, at Belmont Baptist Church with the Rev. Rex Clayton officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Arvol Matthews ODESSA -- Arvol Edmond Matthews, 73, of Gardendale, an industrial mechanic, died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at the Parks Methodist Retirement Village. Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Monday at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa. Arrangements by Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. He was born in Roscoe and was a Navy veteran. Pallbearers will be Justin Matthews, Terry Bennett, Toby Matthews, Shan Scott and Colton Scott. Survivors include his wife, Veta Matthews of Gardendale; sons, Gary Matthews of Gardendale and Jeff Matthews of Alvarado; daughter, Pat Bennett of Gardendale; a brother,Odie Matthews of Crews; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 1999 Odessa American. All rights reserved.