Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 20 Aug 1999 Copyright, http://www.amarillonet.com/ ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Thanks to the Amarillo Newspapers for allowing us to place their online obits in the USGenWeb Archives ==================================================================== Last updated; Friday, August 20, 1999, 5:51 AM Amarillo Gene Compton Gene Compton, 59, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Liberty Church with Jay Robertson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Compton was born in Vian, Okla., and had been a resident of Amarillo for 48 years. He worked at the Pantex Plant for 18 years as a materials handler. He was a member of Liberty Church. He married Jody Carson in 1969 in Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Tina Sorrells, Debbie McKinley and Miranda Compton-Rudd, all of Amarillo and Terry Borden of Tucumcari, N.M.; two sons, David Compton of El Paso and Gene Compton Jr. of Dallas; three brothers, Gary Compton and Bert Compton, both of Amarillo and Charles Compton of Tulsa, Okla.; four sisters, Augusta Dameron of Oklahoma City, Katherine Chambers of Wagoner, Okla., Betty Rogers of Amarillo and Ethel Jean Pickering of Laura, Miss.; and 19 grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Pearline Williams Pearline Williams, 91, of Amarillo, died Friday, Aug. 13, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Mount Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. James C. Collins, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary Inc., 509 N. Hughes St. Mrs. Williams was born in Mount Camp. She attended schools in Mount Camp and Waco and moved to Amarillo in 1927 from Memphis. She had been a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church for more than 50 years and had served as president of the Women's Missionary Society for 27 years. She also served as director of the Baptist Training Union, taught the Adult Women's Sunday School class, was an instructor in the Baptist Denominational Work, Original West Texas Baptist Association and in the Texas State Baptist Convention. She had been a delegate to the National Baptist Convention, USA, on several occasions. Mrs. Williams served on the North Branch YMCA board from 1965-1967 and The Children's Cottage and March of Dimes. She worked as a beautician. She married Ulysses Williams in 1939 at El Reno, Okla. Survivors include her husband. The family requests memorials be to the Mount Zion Baptist Church Building Fund. They will be at 1111 N.W. 16th Ave. Lewis A. Hilburn Lewis A. Hilburn, 77, of Amarillo, died Monday, Aug. 16, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Santa Fe National Cemetery at Santa Fe, N.M., by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Hilburn was born in Rossville, and moved to Amarillo in 1997 from Grants, N.M. He had been an Army veteran of World War II, serving from 1942 to 1946. In 1947, he enlisted in the Air Force and served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He retired in 1966 as a staff sergeant. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean McDougal Hilburn, in 1991. Survivors include three sisters, Pauline Jimenez, Alice Jamison and Celia Olguin, all of Amarillo; and a brother, Daniel Hilburn of Sioux City, Iowa. The family will be at 1938 S. Woodland St. The body will not be available for viewing. Wayne A. Waggoner Wayne A. Waggoner, 60, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 I-40 East, with Mr. Tony Denn of West Amarillo Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Waggoner was born in La Cygne, Kan. and moved to Amarillo in 1954. He served with the Army and was a machine operator for Asarco. His first wife, Nadine Bassett, died in 1983. His son, Dale Waggoner, died in 1992. He married Gayle Clark in 1986 at Raton, N.M. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Kevin Waggoner of Albuquerque, N.M. and Christopher Clark of Amarillo; two brothers, Gene Waggoner of Wichita, Kan. and Ray Waggoner of Grove, Okla.; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Research. Larry W. Sandefur Larry W. Sandefur, 54, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Aug. 19, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, 315 E. Fifth, with the Rev. Scott Greer of Paramount Terrace Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Sandefur was born in Dumas and lived most of his life in Amarillo. He worked for the City of Amarillo in the body shop and was a member of the Good Guys Hot Rod Club and attended Paramount Terrace Christian Church. He married Rebecca in 1988 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Robbie Sandefur and Jeff Sandefur, both of California; two daughters, Laura Prado and Amanda Conditt, both of Amarillo; three sisters, Marcia McCormic of Odessa, Becky Hopson of Robert Lee and Ronnie Dennis of Carlsbad, N.M.; a brother, Steve Sandefur of Odessa; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Delbert Butler Delbert "Zip" Butler, 73, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Aug. 19, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell Street, with the Rev. Claud Tugwell officiating. Private burial will be in Memory Gardens. Mr. Butler was born in Lakeview and moved to Amarillo from Dalhart in 1994. He was a farmer and rancher and served with the Navy during World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Lakeview. He married Patricia Mitchell in 1949 at Enid, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a son, Bruce Butler of Canyon; two daughters, Debbie Vandiver of Stratford and Brenda Clayton of Amarillo; two brothers, Freeman Alexander of Pep and Armond Lee Butler of Ottawa, Kan.; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The body will not be available for viewing but there will be a visitation register. Private family viewing will be from 4 until 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association. Alonzo Kay Alonzo Kay, 65, a former Dalhart resident, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1999, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Kay was born in Missouri and had lived in Dalhart before moving to Amarillo one year ago. He served with the Navy during the Korean War. There are no known survivors. Sypheng Choy Xayamonth Sypheng Choy Xayamonth, 47, of Amarillo, died Monday, August 16, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, with T.L. In Thanong and Mr. Glen Walton of North Amarillo Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Xayamonth moved to Amarillo in 1981 and worked for IBP until 1989. He was a member of North Amarillo Church of Christ and a sergeant in the Laotian Army. He was a bodyguard and escort to the King of Laos. New Mexico Christine Sue Holcomb CLOVIS, N.M. - Christine Sue Holcomb, 46, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 1999, at Albuquerque. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. today in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mrs. Holcomb was born in Toledo, Ohio. She was the owner and operator of Care A Lot Child Care Center and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Survivors include a son, Robert Holcomb of Clovis; two daughters, Christine Holcomb and Ruth Ann Holcomb, both of Clovis; parents, Ruth Schmidt of Findlay, Ohio, and Eugene Schockman of Temperance, Mich.; three brothers, Robert Schockman of Temperance, Gary Schockman of Perrysburg, Ohio, and Michael Schockman of Findlay. Elida Marin CLOVIS, N.M - Elida Marin, 69, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community. Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Guadalupe with the Rev. Carlos Chaves officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Muffley Funeral Home. Mrs. Marin was born in Cotulla. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community, St. Rita Society and the choir. She married Manuel P. Marin in 1954 at Portales. He died in 1977. Survivors include five sons, Ramsey Marin, Michael Marin, Ruben Marin and Danny Marin, of Clovis and Ricky Marin of Los Lunas; two daughters, Rose Baca of Lubbock, Texas, and Linda McWhorter of San Antonio, Texas; a sister, Marin Guajardo of Hereford, Texas; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Edgar Madison Davis CLOVIS, N.M. - Edgar Madison Davis, 83, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1999, in Amarillo. Services will be at noon Saturday in the Salvation Army Church with Lt. Hendrik Sumter officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home. Arrangements in Amarillo were by Schooler Funeral Home. Mr. Davis was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He moved to Clovis in 1970 from Onega, Kan., where he retired as a baker. He served with the Army during World War II and was a member of the Baker Confectionery Union and was active in the Salvation Army Church. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Estelle Davis of Clovis. Elsewhere Melquiades Ramirez PETERSBURG - Melquiades "Mike" Ramirez, 82, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. Services will be at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Louis Dussan, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Petersburg Cemetery. Mr. Ramirez was born in San Marcos and grew up in San Marcos and Rosebud. He was a POW during World War II, where he served with the Army. He moved to Petersburg in 1957 and was a farmer and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He married Maria Rodela in 1946 at Rosebud. She died in 1965. He married Hilaria Pequeno in 1970 at Floydada. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Petra Williams and Mary Ann Marquez, both of Amarillo and Maria Blair of Edmond, Okla.; a son, Oscar Ramirez of Austin; six stepsons, Jesse Marcus, David Marcus, Benny Marcus, Jimmy Marcus and Cleto Marcus, all of Petersburg and Willie Marcus of Waco; a brother, Tomas Ramirez of Rosebud; five sisters, Trine Martinez and Lupe Martinez, both of Hillsboro, LaLa Rodriguez of Indio, Calif., Beatrice Castilleja of Temple and Juanita Cervantes of Houston; 20 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Juanita E. Caldwell LUBBOCK - Juanita E. Caldwell, 91, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Trinity Church Chapel with the Revs. Doyle Patterson and Paul Jantzen officiating. Arrangements are by Rix Funeral Directors. Mrs. Caldwell was born in Big Spring and graduated from Dalhart High School. From 1945 until 1962, she lived in Pampa. She moved to Dallas in 1962 and to Lubbock in 1985. She was a homemaker and a member of Trinity Church. Survivors include a daughter, La Jean Williams of Lubbock; a son, James C. Caldwell of Sacramento, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Margaret Inez Watts of Amarillo; a stepson, Bob Emmitt Caldwell of Longview; a sister, Eurene Munson of Truth or Consequences, N.M.; 11 grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Trinity Foundation for Missions, 7002 Canton Ave., Lubbock, TX 79413. Area William L. Copeland PLAINVIEW - William L. "Dub" Copeland, 86, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Garland Street Church of Christ with Karl King and Mark L. Mullins, a grandson, of Spokane, Wash., officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mr. Copeland was born in Delfis, N.M., and moved to Plainview in 1937 from Oklahoma. He served with the Navy during World War II and worked as a paving contractor. He was a member of the Garland Street Church of Christ. He married Lela Helen Cypert in 1935. She died Aug. 2. Survivors include two daughters, Donna Mullins of Lubbock and Billie Morris of San Antonio; a brother, Orval Copeland of Tulare, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Westview Boy's Home, P.O. Box 553, Hollis, Okla. Anna Lou Rodgers PLAINVIEW - Anna Lou Rodgers, 82, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Wood-Dunning Funeral Home Colonial Chapel with Jack Calk, director of Missions in Del Rio Uvalde, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park. Mrs. Rodgers was born in Vernon and moved to Plainview in 1954 from Lockney. In Fort Worth, she worked in the aircraft bomber plant during World War II. She owned and operated Magic Mirror Beauty Shop, where she worked as a beautician until 1974. In Floydada, she operated an H&R Block franchise until her retirement in 1989. She was active in Parents Without Partners for many years. Her husband, Jordan Dunavant, died in 1941. She married Darrell Gene Rodgers in 1952. He died in 1969. Survivors include a son, Terry Lynn Rodgers of West Richland, Wash.; three daughters, Rhonda Rodgers of San Francisco, Frances Pratt of Benson, Ariz. and Roylene Smith of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; three brothers, Jake Copass of Santa Ynez, Calif., Ira Copass of Pahrump, Nev. and Leon Copass of Oxnard, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Richard Bellegas DIMMITT - Richard Bellegas, 25, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at 1002 W. Andrews in Dimmitt. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Immaculate Conception Church with the Rev. Fern Couture officiating. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens by Foskey-LilleyMcGill Funeral Home of Dimmitt. Mr. Bellegas was born in Floydada and was raised in Dimmitt, where he attended school. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church. Survivors include three brothers, Rene Villegas and Marcus Ouiedo, both of Dimmitt and Simon Villegas of Clovis, N.M.; five sisters, Rachael Villegas of Muleshoe, Alicia Villegas of Dimmitt, Maria Ampro Mendoza of Friona and Maria E. Ouiedo and Cuca Sanchez, both of Floydada; and grandparents, Jose Santos Alvarez and Celia Reyes Alvarez of Dimmitt. Lois Irene Williams STINNETT - Lois Irene Williams, 74, died Wednesday, August 18, 1999. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Ron Wilson, pastor of First Christian Church of Elkhart, Kan., officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Williams was born on the Johnson Ranch in Alanreed and had been a Stinnett resident for seven years. She was a member of a pioneer family, the Riemers. Survivors include a son, Earl E. Williams Jr. of Canyon; two daughters, Linda Lamar and Gail Elliott, both of Stinnett; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Mark Anthony Lopez BORGER - Mark Anthony Lopez, 38, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999. No service is scheduled at this time. Burial will be in Colorado. Arrangements are by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Lopez was born in Borger, where he attended schools. He was a finish carpenter and lived in Las Vegas before returning to Borger. He was a member of Saint John's Catholic Church. His daughter, Christy Nicole, preceded him in death. Survivors include a son, Joe Bryan of Borger; a daughter, Aubrey Jean of Fritch; his mother, Emma B. Lopez of Borger; five brothers, Joe G. Lopez of Whittier, Calif., Randy Lopez and Patrick W. Lopez, both of Borger, James Bryson of Santa Rosa, N.M., and Jerry Don Lopez of Las Vegas; three sisters, Lola Marie Noe of Sapulpa, Okla., Christine Hooks of Skellytown and Rose Marie Prince of Colombia, Tenn. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice, 800 N. Sumner, Pampa, TX 79066. Christy Lain Sams PANHANDLE - Christy Lain Sams, 41, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Doug Harvey, pastor, officiating, and the Rev. Jim Perkins, pastor of First Baptist Church, assisting. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Sams was born in Littlefield and had been a lifetime resident of Panhandle. She worked in the Human Resources Department at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and was a member of First Christian Church and the Panhandle Booster Club. She married Junior Sams in 1977. He died in 1998. Survivors include a son, Aaron Sams of Panhandle; a daughter, Alyson Sams of Panhandle; a sister, Susan James of Canyon; and her parents, Ford and Winifred Lain of Panhandle. The family will be staying at 1106 Charles. Ruby Vasquez CHILDRESS - Ruby Vasquez, 66, died Wednesday, August 18, 1999. Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. today at Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Reyes Reyna officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery. Mrs. Vasquez was born in Hern and was a homemaker. Two daughters, Patricia Padaca and Ruby Mojarras, preceded her in death. Survivors include five daughters, Frances Villareal, Josephine Deleon, Julia Camcho and Nora Garcia, all of Childress and Mary Vasquez of Fort Worth; three sons, Tony Rodriguez of Childress, Clyde Rodriguez of Dodson and Mike Rodriguez of Floydada; two sisters, Janie Benezdes of Childress and Carmen Garcia of Austin; two brothers, Andrew Rodriguez of Amarillo and Joe Rodriguez of Oklahoma City; 30 grandchildren; and several greatgrandchildren. Anne Willson FLOYDADA - Anne Willson, 77, died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wendell Horn, pastor, officiating. Private burial will be in Floyd County Memorial Park by Moore-RoseWhite Funeral Home. Mrs. Willson was born in Elon College, N.C., attended schools in Raleigh, N.C., graduated from Cary High School in Cary, N.C. and attended Elon College in Elon College, N.C. She moved to Floydada in 1946 from El Paso. She retired from Willson & Son as bookkeeper and was executive secretary of Burlington Industries. She also was a staff sergeant in the Army during World War II. She was a member of the Floyd County Heart Association Board, PTA, American Cancer Society, Order of Eastern Star and a board member and past president of Spirit of Sharing. She was board member of the Massie Community Center and past president and board member of the Women's Chamber of Commerce and served as president of the 1934 Study Club. Mrs. Willson served as a Girl Scout leader and had been a den mother and district committee member for the Boy Scouts of America. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, taught Sunday school and served as an officer in the W.S.C.S. She also helped organize the Floyd County Library Board and Friends of the Library Association. In June, 1993, she received the Mason's Community Builder Award and in September, 1993, was selected as Woman of Distinction by the Caprock Girl Scout Council and University Medical Center. The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar gave her the Honor and Dignity of Companion award in March, 1996. She married J.M. "Jimmy" Willson in 1946 at Floydada. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Mac Willson of Floydada, John Neuman Willson of Charleston, S.C. and Terry Van Willson of Dallas; two daughters, Linda Anne Noy of Austin and Sarah Jane Traugott of Garland; a sister, Zelita Smith of Raleigh, N.C.; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two greatgrandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Almeta Reed KRESS - Almeta Reed, 74, died Thursday, Aug. 19, 1999. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jay Simpson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Kress Cemetery by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mrs. Reed was born in Post. She moved from Lubbock to Plainview in 1947 and to Kress in 1948. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include four sons, Joe Reed, Johnie Reed, Jeff Reed and Jimie Reed, all of Kress; a sister, Judy McAlister of Post; two brothers, Gene King of Hereford and David King of Detroit, Mich.; and six grandchildren. The family will be at 508 W. 2nd Street and suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church in Kress; or Vista Care Family Hospice, 4418 Olton Rd., Plainview, TX. Al Soloman PADUCAH - Al Soloman, 67, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999. Graveside services were at 5 p.m. Thursday in Buck Creek Cemetery. Arrangements were by Seigler Funeral Home. Mr. Soloman was born in New York. He was a retired house painter and had been living in Paducah since 1976. Survivors include five brothers, Richard Soloman, Jimmy Soloman, Samuel Soloman Jr., Robert Soloman and Jerry Soloman, all of Massachusetts; and three sisters, Marian Armstrong, Dale Campbell and Loraine Hayes, all of Massachusetts.