Donley County Obituaries
2003
Source: Amarillo Globe-News
May 2003
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Opal Kae Maxey
CLARENDON - Opal Kae Maxey, 79, died Tuesday, April 29,
2003.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Robertson Funeral
Directors Chapel of Memories with the Rev. Rob Seale,
pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, officiating. Burial
will be in Citizens Cemetery.
Mrs. Maxey was born Jan. 9, 1924, in Childress and had
been a resident of Clarendon most of her life before
moving to Amarillo four years ago. After the death of her
first husband, Forrest J. Helton, she married Malcolm
Warren Maxey on Feb. 28, 1949, and he preceded her in
death on June 14, 1987.
She had worked as a manager at Allsups Convenience Stores
for several years prior to her retirement. She most
enjoyed dancing and being with her family members and
attending family reunions. She was a Baptist.
Casket bearers will be Phillip Helton, Monte Helton,
Brandon Helton, Byron Helton, T.J. Maxey, Chad Maxey and
Zachariah Maxey.
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Joyce Sutton
and Mary Wells; and a brother, Bobby Hudson.
Survivors include four daughters, Wanda Roulett of
Kileen, Maxine Wleczyk of Baytown, Pam Williams of Brady
and Ruby Dethrage of Buena Vista, Colo.; six sons,
Phillip M. Helton and Gary Maxey, both of Amarillo, Bobby
D. Helton of Hugoton, Kan., Jasper Maxey of Dalhart,
Warren Maxey of Canyon and Johnny Helton of Albertville,
Ala.; two sisters, Jane Stevens of Clarendon and Lola
Sexton of Amarillo; 33 grandchildren; 27
great-grandchildren; and numerous
great-great-grandchildren.
Amarillo Globe-News, May 1, 2003
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William Roland
"Billie" Christal
CLARENDON - William Roland "Billie" Christal,
92, died Thursday, May 15, 2003.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in First Baptist
Church with Mike Word, grandson, and the Rev. Truman
Ledbetter, pastor, officiating. Masonic graveside rites
and interment will be in Citizens Cemetery by Robertson
Funeral Directors.
Mr. Christal was born Feb. 22, 1911, in Lelia Lake and
had been a resident of Donley County all of his life. He
married Thelma Gertrude Self on Nov. 27, 1930, in
Portales, N.M.
He had been a farmer and rancher most of his life and
served for many years as the Donley County judge. While
serving as county judge, he served in various capacities
on many local and area boards and committees.
He had served on the Lelia Lake School Board and the
Clarendon College Board of Regents for many years. He
served on the PRPC Board and was very instrumental in the
implementation of the county Emergency Medical Services
System.
He was a member of First Baptist Church and had been a
sunday school teacher and a Deacon. He was a member and
past master of Clarendon Masonic Lodge No. 700, a
recipient of the Golden Trowel Award, a member and Past
Patron of Clarendon Chapter No. Six, Order of the Eastern
Star, and was well known for the elaborate Christmas
lighting display at his home.
He was preceded in death by his wife on May 28, 1992; a
sister, Marguerite Alderson; and a granddaughter, Kathryn
Kuhrau.
Casketbearers will be David Word, Tim Word, Brandon Word,
Cameron Word, David Miller, Quentin Kuhrau, Clayton
Kuhrau and Tyler Word.
Honorary bearers will be Robert Swerzinski,
great-grandchildren, First Baptist Church deacons and
Clarendon Masonic Lodge members.
Survivors include two daughters, Jan Word of Amarillo and
Janeice Kuhrau of Seattle; six grandchildren, Kimberly
Miller, Mike Word, David Word, Timothy Word, Clayton
Kuhrau and Quentin Kuhrau; and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be to the Donley County
Courthouse Restoration Project Fund or Harrington Cancer
Center of Amarillo.
Amarillo Globe-News, May 18, 2003
This page was last updated January 7, 2004.