W.D. ‘Dub’ Weatherford, Jr.

W.D. “Dub” Weatherford, Jr., 84 of San Antonio, Texas passed away Sunday, June 29, 2008 in Denton. He was born in Orange, Texas on November 20, 1923.

He was a graduate of The University of Texas, Austin, and the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.

Memorial services will be at Christ Fellowship Church in San Antonio, Texas.

He is survived by daughter, Gerry Baines and husband The Rev. Roy Baines of Corinth; son, bill Weatherford and wife Ramsay of Cincinnati, Ohio; granddaughter Elise O’Connell, grandson Robert Baines and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, sister and parents.

Domingo E. Castillo

Domingo E. Castillo, 90 of San Benito, Texas passed away on June 29, 2008 surrounded by his loving family in Denton, Texas.

Mr. Castillo was a lifetime resident of San Benito and was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church. He was a Heavy Machine Gunner during World War II and received several medals and was Honorably Discharge from United States Army in December 22, 1945.

He is preceded in death by 3 daughters, Julia Gonzalez, Gabina Quintero and Magadalena Saldana; 1 son, Armando Castillo; parents, Francisco and Petra Castillo.

He survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Aurora R. Castillo of San Benito; daughter, Otilia (Joe Jr.) Silva of Denton; 2 sons, Domingo (Maria Elena) Castillo Jr. of Houston and Ismael (Maria Alicia) Castillo of Denton, Texas; 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held today, Wednesday, July 02, 2008 from noon to 9 p.m. with a Holy Rosary recited at 6 p.m. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas.

Funeral Services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday July 03, 2008 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito. Interment will follow to Rio Grande State Veterans Cemetery, 2520 S. Inspiration Road, in Mission, Texas with Military Honors conducted by the V.F.W. Post 8788 of McAllen, Texas.

Words of comfort can be sent to the Castillo family at www.thomaegarza.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas 399-1331

Amaya Rene’ Sheppard

Amaya Rene’ Sheppard was born on February 25, 2000 in Denton, Texas to Tasha Rene’ Sheppard and the late Paul Andre Brown. Amaya attended New Generation Child Care Center at an early age and then later attended Woodrow Wilson Elementary. She also attended Trinity Temple Church of God in Christ in Gainesville, Texas. She was a member of “The Little Dribblers League” and she played for Team “Heat.”

Amaya was loved by everyone who knew her. She will truly be missed!

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at Morse Street Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.

Amaya leaves to cherish her memory: her mother, Tasha Sheppard of Denton, Texas; two sisters, Taylar Sheppard and Paisha Brown; two brothers, Jaymeon Sheppard and Rodney Brown; all of Denton, Texas. Two Grandmothers: Claudia Rene Sheppard of Denton, Texas and Sporty Brown of Pampa, Texas. Two Great-Grandmothers: Oneita Feagins and Delores Jackson, both of Denton, Texas and one Great-Great Grandmother, Eunice Jackson of Denton, Texas. Aunts – Elsie Sheppard, Yolanda Sheppard, Cricket Mims, Pamela Chappelle, Angie Franklin and Mary Evans, all of Denton; Teresa Brown and Yvette Brown of Pampa, Texas. Uncles – Claude Sheppard, Nathan Feagins, Barry Jackson, Antonio Jackson, Lorenzo Feagins, Gerald Feagins, Robert Feagins, Tracy Feagins, Benji Ogden, Monte Jackson, and Dennis Jackson all of Denton, and a host of cousins, and other relatives.

Winnie Hendricks Starr

Winnie Hendricks Starr passed away in Houston, TX on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at the age of 90. Winnie was born in Tioga on February 28, 1918. She was married to Ermano Riley, raised four children, and graduated from North Texas State College. She taught school in Wylie and retired after 30+ years with the Houston Independent School District.

Winnie had 3 sons and a daughter. Richard died in 2000 and Wayne who died in 2006. Winnie is survived by her loving son, Daniel Russell, and daughter, Angela Sue. She is also survived by numerous other special relatives and friends. There are many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have been blessed by their loving and dearly loved “MeMaw.”

She will always be remembered. Words cannot express the joy that she brought to all of our lives. We will miss her and continue to miss her throughout our lives. She will live in our hearts forever and a day.

Services will be held at the Hickory Creek Baptist Chapel in Denton on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 11:00am.Viewing will be held before and after the service.

Samuel D. Starnes

Samuel D. Starnes passed away Saturday, June 28,at his home surrounded by his family after being diagnosed in March with a rare form of cardiac cancer. He was 23 years old.

Sam was born in Houston Texas on September 18, 1984. He has lived in Tyler since age 6. He attended Woods, Hubbard and Robert E. Lee School. He was an Honors student scheduled to graduate in May of this year from the University of Texas at Tyler.

He is survived by his parents, Floyd and Penny Falls Starnes of Tyler, and older brother H. Lee Starnes of College Station, his fraternal grandmother, Martha Starnes of Tyler, his paternal grandparents of Sanger, TX, Joe and Patty Falls, Maria Falls of Grapevine, Drew Falls and family of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jan and Kenneth Starnes of Bossier City, Louisiana, Julia Starnes of Tyler.

A celebration of Samuel’s life will be held at Tyler State Park on Sunday, July 27, at 7p.m.

Memorials can be made to Scott & White Hospital, Temple, TX Legacy Hospice, Tyler, TX American Cancer Society, wings foundation, or the charity of your choice. For more information, please go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/samuelstarnes .

J.P. “Speck” Manire

J.P. “Speck” Manire, 89, of Denton passed away Sunday, June 29, 2008 in Denton. He was born May 1, 1919 in Greenwood to Arthur and Ida Manire.

He graduated from Decatur High School and also graduated from Decatur Baptist College and U.N.T. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII in the European Theatre. He married Doris Wanda Hendricks in 1954. She preceded him in death. He worked for Borden’s Dairy and retired from Parkland Hospital.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 2, 2008 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at DeBerry Funeral Chapel. Graveside service will be Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 10 a.m. at Roselawn Memorial Park.

He is survived by a son, Phil “Little Joe” Manire and wife Kim; grandsons, Cody “Peewee” Manire and John Manire; granddaughter, Beth “Rosey”.

He is preceded in death by is parents, wife, Doris and 3 brothers, Robert “Roboat”, Don “Crellon”, Leon “Leaky” Manire and sister, Daisy.

Martin Elmer “Marty” Kacena

Martin Elmer “Marty” Kacena, 92, son of Louis A. and Caroline (Brems) Kacena, passed away on June 27, 2008 in Denton, TX.  Born in Cedar Rapids, IA, on August 13, 1915, he married Mary Kathryn “Kay” Corlett on April 25, 1942. Graduate of Iowa State University, he served as an industrial Engineer for Curtiss-Wright Aircraft in St. Louis; LaPlante Schultz, Cherry-Burrell, and Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids; and Hawk-Bilt in Vinton, IA. Marty was a longtime Boy Scout Leader for Troop7, First Lutheran Church, he was also a member of the Cyclone Club, TPA, and BPOE.

Memorial services will be held at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Denton, on Wednesday, July 2, at 3:30pm. Interment and memorial service will be held at First Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, at a later date.

Marty is survived by his daughters, Carolyn Kacena of Denton, and Barbara and Wendell Gauger of Vermillion, SD. He was preceded in death by his wife Kay; son, Steven Corlett Kacena; as well as his parents; and two brothers, Louis Brems Kacena, and Robert Charles Kacena.

In lieu of flowers we encourage friends to contribute to their favorite charity, or any charity which assists children

Brian Wayne Bircher

Brian Wayne Bircher, 49, of Denton passed away on June 26, 2008. He was born on February 22, 1959 in Denver Colorado to Donald and Carolyn (Wadman) Bircher. He served in the United States Air Force. He was married to Pamela Ramsey for nine years.

Survivors include his wife Pamela, his son Jeff Bircher, daughter Holli Bircher, his parents Donald and Carolyn, stepchildren Shawn, Shane and Chassidi Richards. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, brother Russell Bircher, sisters Lori and Connie Bircher and numerous extended family members.

Services are under the direction of Denton Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Martha Kay Clampitt

Martha Kay Clampitt, 60, of Denton was escorted by heavenly angels into the presence of her Lord and Savior on June 28, 2008 at her home. Kay was born in Valley View, Texas to Opal Christian Clampitt. She was the granddaughter and great granddaughter of early Cooke and Denton County settlers.

Kay’s mother died when she was two years old. She was raised by her older sisters and brothers. She was also preceded in death by the love of her life, her son, J.T. She attended Denton High School.

The family will be at DeBerry Funeral Directors, Tuesday, July 1, 2008 from 1 p.m.  - 2 p.m. for visitation. Funeral services will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors with Rev. John Stout officiating. She will be buried beside her son at the Valley View Cemetery at a later date.

Kay is survived by three sisters: Brenda Hacker of Atlanta, TX, Betty Nichols of Carrollton, and Nita DeBerry of Denton; three brothers, Roger Clampitt of Houston, and Kenneth and Les Clampitt of Denton; as well as eight nieces and seven nephews.

We, Kay’s family, look forward to a joyous reunion with Kay when we all get to Heaven

“Yippie” Avice Maye Collins

“Yippie” Avice Maye Collins, 94 of Argyle, passed away Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Rambling Oaks Courtyard Ex­ten­sive Care Community in Highland Village.

Yippie, daughter of Claude L. Hollands­worth and Mary Naomi Bell Hol­lands­worth, was born in Cooke County, Texas on September 5, 1913. She resided in Lake Dallas most of her life before moving to Lake Kiowa in 1977. Yippie moved to Argyle in April of 1998. More recently she lived in the assisted living community at Rambling Oaks. Yippie married Louis R. Gross on October 15, 1934. Louis preceded her in death in August of 1969. She then married James H. Collins in 1973, who also preceded her in death in 1978.

Yippie attended grade school in Spring Grove and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1930. After high school she graduated from Gainesville Junior College. A high school speech teacher picked a group of girls for the Gainesville Circus, including Yippie. She first performed as a Martha Washington statue, and later as a “ladder girl.”

While performing in the circus acts, Yippie met her husband-to-be, Louis Gross. He played the trombone in the circus band. In 1934 she and Louis were married in Waxahachie and moved to Dallas where he worked with his father in the furniture business. Yippie was employed by an insurance company during this period. She also received her pilot’s license when her husband Louis, a military pilot, returned home from duty. They enjoyed many years of flying together.

In October 1946 Louis and Yippie purchased the Lake Dallas Telephone Company, a pioneer independent telephone operation. Yippie learned to operate the switchboard installed in their home with 150 telephone subscribers at the time.

Upon the death of Louis in 1969, Yippie became president of the family owned business and remained in that capacity until her retirement in 1985. She was an active member of a number of telephone company organizations. Yippie was president of the Texas chapter of Independent Telephone Pioneers of America. She served on the national board of ITPA during the period 1974 to 1986. She was a lifetime member of this association after 40 years of service.

Yippie was active in another telephone group know as OPASTCO, an organization for protection and advancement of small telephone companies. The Lake Dallas Telephone Company was one of the original founding members of this group in 1963.

During her professional telephone career Yippie attended conventions all over the United States. In 1989, the Texas Independent Pioneers inducted her into the Hall of Fame for her distinguished service to an independent telephone company from 1946 to 1979. She received the John Knox Johnson award in 1992 from ITPA.

In 1973, the first bank in Lake Dallas was established and Yippie was appointed as one of the original directors. That bank is now known as North Star Bank of Texas.

Yippie moved to Lake Kiowa in 1977. While living in Lake Kiowa, Yippie was active in the Lake Kiowa Dance Club, Woman’s Club, and served as president of the Lake Kiowa Fire Auxiliary in 1990-1991. She was also a member of the first board of directors for the Kiowa Homeowners Water Supply Corporation and served as secretary on that board.

Traveling was one of Yippie’s favorite pastimes. She and her husband Jim spend over a month in Russia in 1975 where they visited with others in the telephone industry and toured telephone operations in cities, including Stuttgart, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Budapest and Helsinki. Yippie has also visited Hong Kong, Singapore and China. She has cruised around Alaska, the Caribbean and traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Honolulu. More recently she has spent time with her daughter, Kitna in the Colorado mountains and her son, Greg in the Wyoming mountains.

Yippie was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Lake Dallas and for the last ten years was an active member of Argyle United Methodist Church. Her family was a source of extreme pride to Yippie. She took great joy in raising her family and was loved dearly by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was active in many of her children’s school activities including PTA, band clubs, and scouting.

Yippie was an amazing businesswoman of her time and stands as a model today to all women in the professional world. She will be remembered as a woman with extensive intelligence, a quick wit and an overwhelming zest for life.

She is survived by her daughter, Kitna Armstrong and husband, Reese, of Grapevine; her son Greg Gross and wife, Barbara, of Argyle; her grandchildren Kelly Holcombe, Camron Gross, Nathan Way, James Cue and Jenifer Alyazdi; great-grandchildren, Ben Holcombe, Sarah and Zach Alyazdi. She is preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Ruby Howard, Grace Riley, Jewel Cochran and two brothers, C.L. Hollandsworth, and James Hollandsworth.

You are invited to attend her visitation at DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 West University, Denton on Tuesday, July 1 from 6-8 p.m. Her funeral service will be held at the Argyle United Methodist Church, 308 Denton St., Argyle, on Wednesday, July 2 at 10 a.m. Pastors Kory Knott, Daniel Humbert and Millard Thomas will officiate. Burial will follow at the Swisher Cemetery in Lake Dallas.

Memorials may be made to the Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch and Girlstown, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174-0001.