Obituaries

Marion Henderson
Services for Marion T. Henderson, 94, Payne Springs, were held Oct. 23, 2010, at the Payne Springs United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Diller officiating. Burial was in Payne Springs Cemetery under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Henderson was born Jan. 2, 1916, in Emporia, Kan., and died Oct. 20, 2010, in Athens.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Elvyn Tressler Baker and Charles Arthur Henderson, brother John Melvin Henderson and sister Doris Thomas.
Previously of Houston, he had resided in Payne Springs for the past 21 years. He was a Methodist by faith and a member of the Toastmaster’s International.
A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army from January, 1942, to February, 1946, in the European Theatre. He was attached to the Fifteenth Army headquarters at the time of his honorable discharge.
Prior to the war, he worked for three years with the YMCA in Emporia, Kan., as assistant to the general secretary.
Following the war, he was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad in San Antonio and then Houston until his retirement in 1980.
He was an avid lover of sports and the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and playing basketball and baseball with his sons.
He was a ravenous student of history, religion and politics, and imbued all his children with a love of reading and lifelong learning.
He thoroughly enjoyed holding court as master chef at family barbecues.
He was a devoted Christian from his youth.
He was a Sunday School teacher from a young age. This culminated in his leading a large adult class at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Houston.
While there, he served as the head of the church’s evangelism committee.
His personal faith extended far beyond church walls, as he was a devoted husband, father and friend who was held in high esteem by all who made his acquaintance and whose advice was often sought.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Frances; children Marvin J. “Jim” Henderson and wife Gail, Cedar Creek Lake area; George E. Henderson and wife Gayleen, Grand Junction, Colo.; Janice Mohr and husband Greg, Decatur; David F. Henderson and wife Ednelza, Conroe; and Alan G. Henderson, Dallas; grandchildren Sarah Knell, Cathrine Erbacher, Marianne Henderson, Amy Kirch, Laura Haggerty, Rebekah Henderson, Brian and Michael Mohr, Michelle Rendleman, Jeremiah Mohr and Jonathan Henderson, 21 great-grandchildren, and sister Joan Arnold.

R.E. McMillin
Services for R.E. “Bill” McMillin, 82, Scurry, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010 (today), at the Restland Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Restland Memorial Park under the direction of Restland Funeral Home in Dallas.
McMillin was born Oct. 10, 1928, in Fort Worth to Opal Turpin and Elmer McMillin and died Oct. 23, 2010, at his home
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Elmer Lee McMillin Jr., and James and Butch McDonald.
He retired from Sears as a line hauler.
He was a member of the Kaufman Masonic Lodge No. 726 A.F.&A.M., Dallas I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 44, Athens I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 961, Lancaster Masonic Lodge No. 200, Seagoville Rebekah Lodge No. 293 and Ridgley Encampment No. 25.
Survivors include his wife Rosie McMillin; children Martha Jean Williams; Michael Lee McMillin and wife Lynn; grandchildren Tinamarie McMillin, Michael Lee McMillin Jr. and wife Janie; Alex and Austin Williams; great-grandson Michael Lee McMillin III; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Memorials may be made to Seagoville Rebekah Lodge No. 293, P.O Box 13, Seagoville, TX 75159.

Charles Willingham
Charles E. Willingham, 71, Gun Barrel City, was born March 20, 1939, in Belk, Ala., and died Oct. 8, 2010, in Malakoff.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hortence and Charles H. Willingham.
Survivors include his nieces, Beverly Ketchum and her children, and Karen Mendoza; halfbrothers Ralph Dean and Raymond Kelton.
He was raised in Dallas and graduated from Oak Cliff High School.
He was a member of the ROTC and was a drill cadet and master sergeant.
He was active in the 4-H, FFA, Boy Scouts and later a member of the Lion’s Club.
Before graduating in 1958, he received a novice Federal Communications Commission license, learning to communicate in Morse Code.
He remained a licensed ham radio operator all his life.
After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and became a Cold War spy through 1963.
Shortly after, he returned to Dallas and earned his electrical engineering degree from Arlington State College.
In 1968, he moved with his first wife to Carmel, Calif., and worked for California Technical College, where he started his own computer business and invented a small business and personal finance program.
He was a Baptist and after meeting his first wife, Joan, he became a Presbyterian.
While in Carmel, Calif., he became a Methodist and was a member of Los Alamos Methodist Church.
Here, he married his second wife, Leslie Ann Walsh, in 1975.
He traveled the world, lecturing on satellite systems, During this time, his second wife was teaching and giving flying lessons. At this time, they divorced.
He moved back to Texas and found the “A-Frame” in Loon Bay, where he lived until his death.
In 1992, he went to work for Microsoft and made his fortune in stocks.
He owned a sailboat and traveled the world, sailing on and off, from 1973 to 2001.
To know him and his adventures, read his book “In My Time.”

Ida Brown
Services for Ida “Carolyn” Brown, 91, Kemp, were held Oct. 27, 2010, at the Anderson-Clayton Brothers Funeral Home in Kemp. Interment followed in the Kemp Cemetery.
Brown was born March 4, 1919, in Memphis, Tenn., to Ida and Harry Kennamer and died Oct. 23, 2010.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John J. Brown and all her immediate family.
She married her soulmate, John J. Brown, and together they made a good life running their own business.
Survivors include many special friends and many nieces and nephews, particularly her nieces Pat Russell, Memphis, Tenn.; and Nancy Horton and husband Walter, Mesquite, who provided such excellent care and companionship during her final years.

Reda Wright
Services for Reda Wright, 76, Gun Barrel City, were held Oct. 14, 2010, at the Eubank Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Steve Glosup officiating. Burial was in Highland Cemetery under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Wright was born Dec. 10, 1933, in Pontotoc, Miss., and died Oct. 11, 2010, in Athens.
Previously of Edgewood, she had resided in Gun Barrel City since January, 1974, and was Baptist by faith.
She was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother and friend to many and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include her daughters, Bethany Ishmael and husband James, Mabank; and Jo Ann Morphis, Gun Barrel City; sons David Morphis and wife Cindy, Royse City; and Michael Morphis, Keller; granddaughter Phoebe Ishmael, Mabank; grandson Nash Morphis; several other grandchildren and great-grandchildren; other family members and many friends.
Pallbearers were Matt Kujath, Jason Sapp, Jeremy Cheek, Josh Cheek, Stephen Flowers and J.T. Collard.

Wanda Henderson
Services for Wanda F. Henderson, 80, Gun Barrel City, were held Oct. 27, 2010, at the Aley Family Worship Center with the Rev. Hamp Manning officiating. Burial was at the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Scurry under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Henderson was born May 9, 1930, in Brownwood and died Oct. 22, 2010, in Gun Barrel City.
She was preceded in death by her parents, LilyMaye and Melvin Chasteen, husband J.B. Henderson, son Melvin “Sonny” Feliz, brother Samuell Chasteen, grandson Dallas Weder and great-grandchild Richard Hutchins.
She had resided in Gun Barrel City for the past 40 years and was a member of the Aley Family Worship Center. Everyone called her “Mama.”
Survivors include her daughters, Wanda “Wezee” Brown, Gun Barrel City; Rita Fowler, Eustace; and Mayelene Brooks, Murchison; sons Glen Feltz and wife MaryLee, Tool; Henry Feltz and wife Jo, Mabank; and Ronny Henderson, Mabank; brother Tommy Chasteen and wife Shirley, Prairieville; 25 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.
Pallbearers were George Middelton, Bubba Feltz, Judge Reece, Eddie Reece, Melvin Feltz Jr. and James Feltz.

Ben Clements
A memorial for Ben Gill Clements, 69, was held Oct.. 27, 2010, at the St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas.
Clements was born in Dallas and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School.
In 1963, he received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Southern Methodist University where he was a counselor of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
His business successes included leading the offshore drilling company Sedco, which was founded by his father, former Texas Gov. Bill Clements.
He was Sedco treasurer for three years before becoming president in 1973.
He led Sedco to become the largest offshore drilling company in the world, according to the company.
In 1983, he was named outstanding chief executive in the offshore drilling industry.
He retired in 1984.
Survivors include his father Bill Clements, wife Patricia Clements, Forney; daughters Cathy Matthews, Denver, Colo.; and Margaret Napler, Dallas; son Bill Clements, Tyler; seven grandchildren, sister Nancy Clements Seay, Dallas; and father Bill Clements.
Memorials may be made to the Pauline Allen Gill Foundation for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Medical Center, 2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75207.

Melvin Tarno
Services for Melvin Tarno, 85, of Gun Barrel City will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010 (today) at the Eubank Memorial Chapel. Don Teague will officiate under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home in Mabank.
Interment will follow at the Black Jack Cemetery in Kaufman County.
Tarno was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers.
Previously of Dallas, he lived in Gun Barrel City for 365 years. He was a veteran and retired from the Red Ball Trucking company.
He was Baptist by faith.
Survivors include his daughter, Doris Tarno of Dallas; brothers Eulis Tarno and wife Evelyn, Kemp; Paul Fred Tarno and wife Janet, Gun Barrel City, Edna McRee and husband Tommy, Gun Barrel City and Mary Alene Rish, Colony; other family and many loving friends.

Jim Allison
Services for Jim Choyce Allison, 71 of Eustace will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Mabank.
Minister Chris Schoolcraft will officiate and interment will follow at the Moorehead-Melton Cemetery.
Allison was born Sept. 16, 1939 in Jacksonville and died unexpectedly Oct. 22, 2010.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.
Previously of Imperial, Nebraska, he was a resident of Eustace for the past eight years. He recently retired from Allison Realty, Inc.
He worshipped with the First United Methodist Church in Mabank and was also a Rotary Club member and involved with the Sabine-Neches RC&D.
He graduated from Lamar High School in Houston in 1957; and in 1963, he graduated from the University of Texas with degrees in chemical engineering and business.
He put himself through college on a track scholarship, throwing the shot and discus for the UT track team.
After graduation, he worked for Humble Oil, as a chemical engineer. Other careers followed, including stockbroker, rea estate broker, appraiser, aviator, quirky musician and entrepreneur.
He married Judith Merrit in 1976. After 24 special years of living the good life in Nebraska, they moved to Texas and settled on the old family homeplace in Eustace, which Jim dearly loved.
He cherished his family and his many, many friends.
We will miss him dearly and forever remember his smile.
He is survived by his loving wife, Judith Allison, Eustace; daughters Jennifer Frankovsky, Austin; Julie Rowland and husband Tipton, Austin; and Amy Allison of Seattle, Wash.; brother Brian Allison, Denton, grandchildren Drake and Chase Rowland, Joseph and Brooke Frankovsky; other family and many loving friends.
Pallbearers are Brian Allison, Tipton Rowland, Ryan Crossman, Lee Traghella, Rusty Pharmakis and David LaRue with honorary poll bearers Johnny, Harvey and Bobby Allison and Glen Cornelius.