William 'Billy Clyde' Wright Jr.
1947-2015
William "Billy" Clyde Wright Jr., 67, of Bandera, passed away Saturday, Jan. 31, in Bandera. He was born on Sept. 1, 1947, in San Antonio to William and June Wright.
A life long resident of Bandera, Billy Clyde worked for the Bandera Water District and then the City of Bandera's sanitation department until 1980.
In addition, for over 20 years, Billy Clyde delivered local newspapers all over town, first for the Bandera Bulletin and most recently for the Bandera County Courier until shortly before his death.
Billy Clyde was a friend to everyone and the people of Bandera truly loved him.
He is survived by his sisters, Debra Daniels of New Braunfels; Dora Leola Schaefer and her husband, Henry, of Bandera; and Sandra Massey of Uvalde; brother Patrick Wright and his wife, Jan, of San Antonio; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents.
A pot luck dinner and celebration of Billy Clyde's life was held at the Longhorn Saloon at 2:00 pm Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Memorials to honor Billy may be made to the charity of your choice. Notification of any memorials may be sent to Lee Schaefer, 3450 Whartons Dock Rd, Bandera, 78003.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
Doris Jean Woodruff-Crawford
1944-2015
Doris Jean Woodruff-Crawford, 70, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Bandera. She was born August 24, 1944 to John and Dorothy Brown of Ohio.
Before her illness, Doris resided in New Waverly. She was recently baptized at the Ark Church in Conroe.
Doris was an extremely giving woman. The day after she passed, her daughter was greeted with yellow roses that her mother had prearranged to be delivered. The card read: "My dearest Angel, I am not gone, I am here with you forever! Now stop crying, eat something and keep making me proud. Love Mom!"
No one Doris knew ever went hungry or homeless. She was an avid reader, loved bingo, fishing, garage sales and animals, but, most of all, she loved John Wayne.
Doris never lost faith in people - even when they had lost faith in themselves. She gave to many charities. And, while battling cancer, she did everything in her power not to burden anyone.
To my mom: "You did it, Mom! You had one boy and one girl and were here to see your granddaughter born and walk across the stage at graduation - your proudest moments. You laughed, danced and made your mom proud! You refused to let anyone settle for anything less than they deserved.
"You found God and led others to him. You took raw land and made it into a home and them turned right around and helped your daughter do the same.
"You quit smoking. You recovered enough to make trips to your daughter's ranch, the Renaissance Festival, Louisiana and even got in some fishing. You met your long lost brother, Tim, and visited with many friends and family before God called you home.
"I love you mom and I will never forget the day you asked if you could stay with me and not go home. I was honored that you trusted me with your care. Love, Angel."
Doris' daughter and granddaughter would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Bandera Healthcare & Rehabilitation and Gentiva Hospice for the wonderful care given in Doris' final days.
Doris Woodruff-Crawford is survived by her daughter, Angel Mae Mastin, of Pipe Creek; granddaughter Autumn Mastin of Seabrook; brothers, Tom Brown of California; Jerry Brown of Arizona, Tim Brown of North Carolina and Jim Rottinghouse of Texas; Reba, Rebecca and Jimmy and many nieces and nephews.
Doris was predeceased by her beloved son, Willard "Little Bill" Mastin; brother Lonnie Brown; sisters, Myrtle Brown, Deanna Foley and Beverly Vance; and husband Woody Woodruff.
Doris's last words to her daughter were: "Love those that love you but really love the ones that don't, for they are the ones that need it the most."
A memorial service was held at her daughter's second home in The Woodlands, and a private service will be held on March 21 to spread ashes by the river.
The family requests that you plant a tree in Doris' honor.
Vern Lore
1951-2015
Vern Lore, 63, of Bandera, passed away Sunday, Feb. 22. He was born in Casper, Wyoming on May 5, 1951 to Wayne and Dorothy Lore.
Vern married
Laura Rohan on April 29, 1983 in San Marcos.
He worked for Bandera County EMS from 1998 until his illness in 2014. During that time, Vern always found ways to make his coworkers, friends, family and patients laugh.
Many of his patients later called or dropped by the station to express their gratitude for how well Vern had taken care of them - even if it was just holding their hand in their time of need. Vern always went above and beyond for his patients, following up whenever he could.
Vern was also a volunteer firefighter for Castle Lake Fire Department for a few years and served as president during some of that time. Additionally, he worked as an architect for several different companies.
While serving in the United States Army, Vern received the National Defense Service Medal and Sharpshooter Qualification Badge.
Vern is survived by his spouse, Laura Lore; children, Eric Lamb, Jennifer Kilpatrick, Ansel Lore and Ellen Cummings; brothers, Stan Lore and Neil Lore; and grandchildren, Justin, KC, Hayden, Phoebe and Michael.
A celebration of Vern's life will take place at 10 am, Saturday, March 7, at Grimes Funeral Home.
William Recker
1935-2015
William Edward "Bill" Recker, 79, passed away Monday, Feb. 20. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on Dec. 10, 1935.
After graduating from St. Joseph Catholic High School, Bill joined the United States Air Force. He enjoyed flying, photography, country music and world-wide travel.
After a career in the graphic arts business, he and his wife, Rita, retired to the Texas Hill Country in Bandera. During his retirement, he enjoyed spending time watching the wildlife and playing with his beloved pet chihuahuas, Bamm Bamm and Pebbles.
Bill was a fun-loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rita Van Griner Recker; daughters, Stephanie Arch and her husband, Mike, and Rani Janelle Zapata and her husband, Frank; and grandchildren, Chelsea and Matthew Arch and Katlyn Shelby and Ana Sill.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Henry Aloysius Recker and Julia Bauer Recker, and siblings, Herman, Norman and Virginia.
Bill will live forever in our hearts and treasured memories.
A graveside service and burial with full military honors will take place at 1:45 pm, Tuesday, March 17, at Fort Sam Houston National cemetery in San Antonio.
David H. Allen
1969-2015
David H. Allen, 45, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 10, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born in Palestine, Texas, on March 17, 1969.
David graduated from Palestine High School in 1987 and briefly attended Sam Houston State University before moving to Tarpley. He worked for STP for many years before returning home to Palestine with his family.
David is survived by his wife of 17 years, Roxanna Allen, and two children, Morgan and Brandon. He also leaves behind his parents, Jesse and Linda Allen, of Palestine; brothers, Daniel Henley and his wife, Jeannie, of Palestine; Rick Smith, of Palestine; Michael Allen of Houston; and Chris Allen and his wife, Gina, of Castlerock, Colorado; and sister, Tracy Lasser and her husband, Harold, of Palestine, as well as nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles.
He was predeceased by his grandparents, Marlin and Virginia Fox of Palestine; Jesse and Viola Allen of Rockport; nephew Alex Henley of Victoria; and various cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Services were held Saturday, March 14, at the Bailey & Foster Chapel with Rev. Harold G. Fox officiating. Burial followed in Land of Memory cemetery.
Pallbearers were Lee Fox, Doug McNeill, Donald McNeill, Stephen Webb, Scott McCloud and Steve Brough. Honorary pallbearers were Rick Smith, Dan Henley, Chris Allen, Michael Allen and Harold Lasser.
Luke 23:45: "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."
