Harold William “Bill” Butler, passed away, March 5, 2026, in Abilene, Texas at the age of 89. He was born November 22, 1936, in Lexington, Missouri, the son of Harold Woodrow and Laura Jane Wernwag Butler. Bill’s early years were shaped by the deep bond he shared with his father, grandfather, and uncles, who left a lasting impression on his heart. Raised in rural Missouri, the values of hard work and resilience became a guiding force in his life, leading him into a variety ...

Gary (Brazell) Jarrett, 75, of Merkel, Texas, passed away on February 14th, 2026 in Abilene, Texas. Gary was born on January 31, 1951 in Hornersville, Missouri. His parents, Hobert and Louise Brazell, moved to the Abilene area in 1963. It was there, at Lincoln Middle School, that he met his future wife, Cassie Foster. They married on May 26th, 1970 in Abilene, Texas marking the beginning of their 55 year marriage. Their journey together would see the birth of four children, good days and ...

Roger Todd Moore, 80, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Roger was a Blair kid, a Merkel High School graduate, a McMurry 1966 graduate, a cartoonist, a Texas History buff and a sports enthusiast. He lettered all 4 years in track and was the 1966 long jump conference champion at McMurry. He created the Bona Fide Original Real Texas History Calendar, cofounded Celebrate Texas, and founded Roger Moore and More Advertising in 1975. His quick wit and humor will be missed by ...

Bobby Joe Tutt, 64, of Merkel, TX went to be with our Savior and Lord on February 9, 2026 in his home in Merkel.  He was born to Thomas and Callie Mae Tutt on November 25, 1961 in Merkel, TX.  One of ten children.  He attended Abilene public schools. Later in life he married a long time family friend who was the love of his life, Rebecca Ann Williams on November 25, 1984 in Abilene, TX.  Bobby and Rebecca had seen each other at many family gatherings over the years, both ...

Joseph  D. Stephens (Scott) Joe was born on September 24, 1946 to Eugene and Bernadine (Prochaska) Scott, in Pawnee, OK. Joe spent much of his young life in and out of foster homes and was adopted at age 12 by Jack and Pearl Stephens along with 2 of his 7 siblings. Joe served in the navy during the Vietnam war as a rescue diver, a cook and mainly a smart alek. He didn’t talk about the hard parts of the war much but he loved to tell people stories about the pranks he pulled. His ...

Fannie Eudora “Dodie” Burt, age 88, of Merkel, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 3, 2026. Dodie was born on November 2, 1937, in Altas, Oklahoma, to Otis Gray Jones and Fannie Eudora Hasley. From an early age, she carried a strong spirit that stayed with her throughout her life. On April 28, 1956, she married Jimmy Donald “Sonny” Riggan, and together they were blessed with three sons: Derrell, Donnie, and Danny Riggan. Later in life, she ...

USAF Retired Chief Master Sergeant Raymond Lawrence Yocom Raymond ‘Shorty’ Yocom, 80, of Merkel, Tx. Passed away on February 1, 2026, in Big Springs, Tx. Raymond was born in Seagraves, Tx to Charles Curtis Yocom and Geneva Williams Yocom on October 28, 1945. He graduated from Seagraves High School in 1964 and married Martha ‘Jean’ Moore on August 25,1995 in Albany, Tx. Raymond had an impressive and extensive military career in the U.S Air Force spanning 27 years ...

Jerry Donald Horton, 84 years, passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026 in Merkel Texas. Jerry was born at Sadler Clinic in Merkel, Texas to Clarence Ernest Horton and Edna Leona Skurlock Horton on December 13, 1941.  He went to school in Merkel and graduated from Merkel High School in 1959.  He married Audra West Horton on August 16, 1963 in the home of her parents, George and Veda West.  As a young boy, he worked on the family land with his father learning to plow with a ...

Bennie "Benny" Lee Stallo, 91, of Abilene, passed away on January 22, 2026, in Abilene, Texas Bennie was born in Merkel, Texas to Bernard and Lora Stallo on January 22, 1935. He went to school in Merkel. He graduated from Merkel High School and attended one year of college at Texas Tech University. On January 22, 1956 he married the love of his life Ola Frances Stallo in her parents' home of Trent, Texas. Later that year they welcomed their daughter, Lynda, a few years following ...

Mozetta Love Dye Youngers, age 90, of Merkel, Texas passed away on January 20, 2026 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. Mozetta was born in Anson, Texas on May 18, 1935 to Joseph and Ruthie Key Love. She started school at Anson Jones Elementary. She graduated from Anson High School in 1954. She married Robert Eugene (Bob) Dye on January 28, 1956 at the family home in Abilene. She worked for Hendrick Hospital for 2 years, University Drug for 2 years and Timex for several years. ...