William Emory Peters

Funeral services for William Emory (Bill) Peters, age 92, LtCol/USAF/Ret, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, January 20, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church in Athens, Texas, with Reverend Ken Calhoun and Brother Mike Gibbs officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park with full military honors.

Bill passed away Sunday, January 15 in Athens.

Bill was born on February 24, 1919, in Enterprise, Alabama, to William E. (Will) and Ethel Hutchison Peters. He graduated from Coffee County High School in 1937 and matriculated at Auburn University. He returned home to manage the family business following his father’s death, and then he was drafted into the Army in 1942. He volunteered for the Aviation Cadet Program and later served as a bombardier instructor. He flew combat missions as a B-17 bombardier with the 15^th AAF, 5^th Bomb Wing, 97^th Bomb Group, 342^nd Squadron out of Amendola, Italy, from December 1944 until cessation of hostilities in 1945. He was discharged from active duty and returned home, where he earned his degree from Auburn University in 1946.

He returned to active duty with the Air Force in 1950, serving with the Strategic Air Command and then the Air Defense Command at duty stations in Alaska, Georgia, Japan, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Florida. Bill married Louise Hartpence Cox in 1955, becoming step-father to her children Phyllis and Hap. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1970. He built a retirement home in Florida, later moving to Austin, Texas, and then to Garland, Texas. His first wife passed away there, and he later married Mareda McGill Starkey on August 5, 2000. Bill and Mareda moved to Athens in May 2001.

Bill grew up hunting and fishing and loving the beauty of all things outdoors. He lived his enduring faith in God, not just by lifelong participation in the Methodist Church, but by virtuous commitment to family and country. By his life and his love, he left all of us with full knowledge of a life well spent. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Ethel Peters; sister Roberta Peters Thrash; grandchild Michael Lloyd; first wife Louise Hartpence Cox Peters; and son-in-law Peter (Pete) Lloyd.

Bill is survived by his wife Mareda Peters; children Phyllis Ann Cox Lloyd, J.R. Hap Cox, PhD, David Lee Starkey, Gayle Starkey Furlong and husband Timothy J. Furlong, M.D.; grandchildren Phillip Lloyd and wife Stephanie, Michael Furlong and wife Carmen, Rebecca, Emily, Sarah, Hannah, Peter, and Jonathan Furlong; great-grandson Shawn Lloyd; nieces and nephews Gary and Gale Grassman and Andy and Micki Greenwood; a host of good friends; and special caregivers Blanche Breazeale, Jenni Smith, and Christy Webb and the staff of South Place Nursing Center.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Lloyd, Gary Grassman, Drew Grassman, Michael Furlong, Tim Furlong, and Jim Owens. Honorary pallbearers will be James Murphy and Andy Greenwood.

Visitation will be on Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.  Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

Bernie Jesmer

Bernie Jesmer, 75, of Garland passed away Thursday, January 5.  Born in Dallas, Mr. Jesmer moved to Garland in 1968. 

He served as vice-president at Dallas Title Company until 1977 when he started working for Cheyenne Homes.  In 1980, Mr. Jesmer started his own homebuilding company, and was very proud of the homes he built.

Following a heart transplant in 1997, he spent the remainder of his life as a chaplain at Baylor Hospital in Dallas.  In addition, he was a Buddy League volunteer and loving Pop to seven grandchildren.  The gift of a heart gave him the opportunity and time to see his grandchildren grow up and attend all their activities.  

A member of the Garland Jaycees, Mr. Jesmer was Jaycees International Senator and served as jubilee chairman, was recognized as Outstanding State Director of the Texas Jaycees, and was the Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of Garland in 1973.  His gifts also included being an extraordinary fundraiser.  He also served as president of the Rowlett Homebuilders Association and award membership chairman for the Dallas Homebuilders Association.  In addition, Mr. Jesmer served on the City Planning Commission in the 1970s.  He received special recognition for logging more than 10,000 volunteer hours at Baylor Hospital.

Services will be Friday, January 13 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Richardson. The family prefers that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:  The Living Gift, Medical City Transplant, Attn. Social Workers, 7777 Forest Lane, Suite C-750, Dallas, Texas 75230.  This charity provides financial assistance with transplant medications.  Mr. Jesmer would be proud that his memory made life easier for another.

He is survived and will be missed by Janie Jesmer, his wife of 47 years; daughter Shannon Jesmer of Austin; son Craig Jesmer of Medford, Oregon; daughter and son-in-law Heather and Curt Miller of Garland; and grandchildren Jeremy Jesmer, Nicholas Miller, Ben Miller, Sean Miller, Chase Miller, Shannon Jesmer, and Avery Jesmer.

Jack Van Ogle

Jack Van Ogle, 82, of Krugerville, Texas cashed in his chips while at his home on Monday evening, January 9 surrounded by his loving family.   Services will be at noon Friday, January 13 at the Abbey Chapel in Restland Memorial Park.  Interment will be at Restland under the direction of Slay Memorial Funeral Center of Aubrey, where informal visitation may be made Thursday, January 12.

Jack was born January 23, 1929 to Hal and Birdie Ogle in Garland where he grew up and attended Garland High School.  After serving in the Marine Corps, he graduated from East Texas State University. He married Bonnie Joan Stout August 30, 1951 in Gainesville. Jack was a loving husband and father, dear friend to many, a successful contractor and auctioneer, and an accomplished horseman and dice shooter.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jay Hal and Joe, and wife, Bonnie.  He is survived by a son: Hal V. Ogle (Melinda) of Lakewood, Colorado, and daughters: Laurie Ogle of Krugerville, Karen Clark (Jeff) of Providence, and Kristy Ogle of Providence. He was known as Papa to his devoted grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Joshua, Jesica, Sean, Travis, Tom, Chris, McKenzie, Sarah and Abigail.

Pallbearers for Jack will be Rod Golightly, Joshua Gustin, Sean Ogle, Travis Ogle, Tom Clark, and Chris Clark.

Slay Memorial Funeral Center is located at 400 South Highway 377 in Aubrey.  (940.365.7529).

Richard Devon Collins

Richard Devon Collins, 68, of Farmersville, went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, December 3 at his home. A memorial service celebrating Richard’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 8 at Abundant Life Church in Garland with Pastor Glynn Davis officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Ingram Funeral Home in Quinlan.

Richard was born December 21, 1942 in Meridian, Mississippi. He was the son of the late Eugene Collins and Vinnie Carter Collins. Richard lived in many different states, moving to Mexia, in 1952 where he was raised. On December 12, 1963, he married the former Miss Glenda Guest.  They made their home in Garland until 2007 when they moved to Farmersville. Richard worked as a doffer in a textile mill for many years before retiring after 23 years of service from Packaging Corporation of America in Garland He enjoyed fishing and going to garage sales and flea markets.

He is loved and will be missed by his wife of 47 years Glenda of Farmersville; daughters Robyn Collins and Rejina Collins of Garland; brothers Winford Collins and wife Cece of Mexia, James Terry Collins of Kosciusko, Mississippi; sisters Maxine Collins of Jackson, Mississippi, Josephine Hawes and husband Anthony of Memphis, Tennessee. 

Odessa Galyon Limes

Odessa Galyon Limes, 92, of Fremont, Nebraska died Wednesday, November 23 at her home.

She was born July 6, 1919 in Bells, Texas to Lyndon Haynes and Cora Belle (Crow) Galyon. She graduated from Denison, Texas High School May 27, 1938 and continued with two years of business college. She married Gordon Earl Limes April 19, 1941 in Denison. Gordon died Sep. 23, 1989. She came to Fremont in March of 1945 and lived at Blair NE for seven years before moving to the Garland area in March of 1975. She returned to Fremont in 2002.

She worked at Nebraska-Iowa Supply at Blair NE. She was the credit manager at Schwesers in Fremont and also worked at Gambles in Fremont as a book keeper.

She was a former member of First Christian Church in Garland and First Baptist Church in Fremont before moving back to Garland. She was very active in her church and the community.

She is survived by daughters Jo Limes and Michelle Eaton both of Fremont; brother, Joe Galyon and wife JJ of Lewisville; sister, Donna Montgomery of Fremont; five grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gordon; sister Edith Winters; and brother Hobart Galyon.

Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Monday, November 28 at Fremont’s Moser Memorial Chapel. There will be no visitation.  Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.

Willa LeNore Ragsdale

Willa “Willie” LeNore Ragsdale, age 70, of Quinlan went to be with her Lord & Savior on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at her home. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, October 28 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Ingram Funeral Home in Quinlan. A private family burial will be held on Saturday, October 30 at Mills Cemetery in Garland under the direction of Ingram Funeral Home.

Willie was born on February 18, 1941 in Los Angeles, California where she was raised and attended school. She was the daughter of the late Charles “Mack” McVey and Bessie Plumber McVey. Being one of the oldest children of a large family, Willie grew up caring for her siblings.

Following the death of their mother at a young age, Willie naturally filled the position of mom to her brothers and sisters. Willie was just a teenager when Mack passed away in a tragic auto accident. Needing a dress to wear to her father’s funeral and assistance raising her family, a neighbor entered Willie into the Queen for a Day radio contest.  In 1956, at just 16-years-old, Willie became the youngest winner in the history of the show. She won a much needed washer and dryer, money, a trip to New York and of course, a brand new dress.

Willie moved to Texas in 1960, where she owned and operated Willie’s Westaurant in Garland. Due to her beautiful smile, bubbly nature, and good food, customers flocked to her restaurant. She later met and fell in love with one of those customers and in 1977 married Mr. Ramon Ragsdale. Willie and Ramon continued to make their home in Garland until moving to Quinlan in 1993, where she bought an existing restaurant and transformed it into “Willie Westaurant.”

She became a local favorite during the holidays for her famous ‘upside down Christmas tree,’ a tradition she continued from Garland. For the past 18 years, Willie has served country cooking to area residents. For many, she was always there to listen, to give advice or just provide a quick hug and a bright smile.

Willie always enjoyed going to the boats and playing the slot machines. She was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and talking bad about ‘her boys’ was the fastest way to get kicked out of her restaurant. On game day, Willie could always be found at her table, wearing her Cowboy jersey and watching ‘her boys.’

Willie was also a huge Elvis fan. She enjoyed listening to his music and collecting Elvis memorabilia. She was a long time active member of the Quinlan Lions Club and always felt honored that it was her Westaurant that served as “The Lion’s Den.”

Willie was preceded in death by her husband Ramon on August 22, 2009; sister Kakhie Heinis; brothers Mike McVey and Pat McVey.

She is loved and will be missed by her sons, Johnny Mitchell and wife Sonya of Garland; Tommy McVey and wife Denise of Mississippi; Troy Morrison and wife LaWana of Quinlan and stepson Jimmy Ragsdale of Dallas; daughters Laura “JB” Fincher and husband Ronnie of Garland; Jody Blevins and husband Johnny of Quinlan; stepdaughters Sheri Wolf and husband Gary of Cedar Creek; brothers, Charlie McVey and wife Linda and Bob McVey of Quinlan; sisters Trilla “Mickey” Paulk and husband Jim and Rita Allen all of Mississippi. Meno as she was affectionately called will also be missed by her 21 grandchildren, 12 great- grandchildren. She will also be missed by many other relatives and friends.

Larry Allan Collins

Larry Allan Collins, 61, of Point, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, October 18, 2011 in a Wills Point nursing home. A memorial service celebrating Larry’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Ingram Funeral Home in Quinlan with Rev. John Carl officiating.

Larry was born May 2, 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was the son of the late Hugh Adril Collins, Sr. and Winston “Winnie” Marie Canard Collins. Larry was raised and educated in Garland, graduating from South Garland High School in 1968, moving from Garland to the Lake Tawakoni community in 1984.

Larry was a cabinet maker and after moving to this area he opened The Cabinet Shop in Greenville and owned that business from 1984 – 1989. In 1999, Larry opened Jenco Millworks in Quinlan and he owned and operated this cabinet shop until 2007. He enjoyed sports and was a QSA coach for six years. Larry enjoyed spending time at home with his family, coaching or watching his kids play sports, and fishing. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bruce E. Collins in 2010.

He is loved and will be missed by his wife Jennifer Vavra Goode; sons, Allan Collins and Matthew Collins of Point; brother, Hugh Collins, Jr. of Garland; sister, Debra Collins of Garland; best friend and cousin, Frank Reed of Garland.

Dorothy Louise Clark Ashenhurst

Dorothy Ashenhurst, 91, passed away in Austin, Texas, on September 19, 2011.

Dorothy was born on October 29, 1919, to Anna Vivian and Luther Lloyd Clark in Eufaula, Oklahoma.  She earned her BFA degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1940 and married her childhood sweetheart, Curtis Dee Ashenhurst, in 1942.  She taught middle school speech in Garland, TX, for 18 years, retiring in 1975.

Until moving to Austin, Dorothy was a long time Methodist, most recently at First United Methodist Church in Garland, Texas, where she was a member of the Howard Taylor Sunday School Class and served on various committees of the church through the years.  After moving to Austin to be closer to family, she joined her daughter’s church, Triumphant Love Lutheran.  Dorothy was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for fifty-seven years and was a current member of Chapter CQ, Dallas.  She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority in college, a member of the Twentieth Century Study Club of Garland, a charter member and former director of the Garland Women’s Activities Building, and a member of the Garland Book Club.

Her dazzling smile and sweet, loving spirit will be sorely missed.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Dee Ashenhurst; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Lance Rosenquist of Austin; granddaughter and husband, Angela and David Hisanaga of San Francisco; grandson and wife, Matthew and Kristen Edel of San Antonio; granddaughter and husband, Jeanene and Brett Anthony of Corpus Christi; grandson Jason Rosenquist (Father Panteliamon) of the Holy Archangels Greek Orthodox Monastery in Kendalia, TX, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Teresa Edel.

A family memorial service will be held to celebrate her life.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the P.E.O. Foundation, the AXΩ Foundation, or the TLLC Endowment.

To share memories of Dorothy with her family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.