William R. (BILL) Hicks 

William R. (Bill) Hicks of Windsor, Illinois, formerly of Albany, Texas, passed away peacefully on Jan. 16, 2020. He was 94 years old. 

He was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on Dec. 3, 1925. He served in the U.S. Army and earned a Purple Heart for his heroic services. 

Albany News

ROBERT BENTON JONES

Robert Benton Jones, 90, passed from this earth on March 28, 2020 after a brief illness. Benton’s wishes were to be cremated and no services are planned at this time.  Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Morehart Mortuary.

Benton was born Sept. 3, 1929 in Woodson, Texas to John Copeland and Melissa Alma Tubbs Jones. He attended school in Breckenridge, Ibex, and graduated from Albany High School. 

Benton married Ava Ruth Burton on June 8, 1951 in Albany where they remained throughout their lives.

They had one daughter, Ginger Lee.  

DARLENE DAVIS

Darlene Davis, 77, of Albany died Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in an Abilene hospital. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Darlene was born Aug. 5, 1942 in Stamford to Ted and Margaret (Childers) Fitzpatrick. She graduated from Odessa High School.

Albany News

Lt. Col. BOBBY RUSSELL

Lt. Col. Bobby Russell, age 82 of Albany, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020. Private graveside funeral services with military honors were held Tuesday, March 24 in the Albany Cemetery with Pastor Jeff Turner officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.

Albany News

LOLA MAE JOHNSON

Lola Mae Johnson, age 91 of Moran, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020. Due to the government mandate, a private graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 27 in the Moran Cemetery. Interment will follow under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.

Lola Mae Roland was born May 29, 1928 in Merkel, Texas to parents Henry W. Roland and Nila Mae Morton Roland. On May 23, 1944, Lola Mae married James LaMoine Johnson in Merkel. 

Albany News

WANDA GLEASON

Wanda Gleason, age 93 of Albany, passed away Friday, March 20, 2020. Graveside funeral services were held Tuesday, March 24 in the Cundiff Ceme-tery at Cundiff, Texas with John Ross Reames officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Wanda Louise Woolsey was born Dec. 10, 1926 in Jack County, Texas to parents, Emmitt Woolsey and Pearl Board Woolsey. She married Aaron Edward Gleason on Aug. 28, 1943. 

Albany News

JOE DAN ODEN

Joe Dan Oden, 65, of Albany, Texas died on March 14, 2020 in Weatherford, Texas. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services are pending indefinitely. A memorial service and celebration of life party will be held at the soonest possible time, with an announcement of those services being run in this paper at that time. 

DANNY HEBEL

Danny Hebel, age 61 of Albany, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Friendship Baptist Church with Pastor Paul Johnston officiating. Interment followed in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Danny Lynn Hebel was born May 3, 1958 in Knox City, Texas to parents Robert Allen Hebel and Lola Bea Hawley Hebel. He grew up and attended schools in Albany. Danny was a self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades, working as a rancher, a cook and in the oilfield. 

WELDON VIERTEL

Dr. Weldon Ernest Viertel of Tyler, TX was born Dec. 4, 1930 in Stamford, TX to the late Max E. Viertel and Alice Byrd Viertel. He passed away on Feb. 18, 2020 at the age of 89.

Funeral services were held at The Woods Baptist Church in Tyler on Saturday, Feb. 22 with Rev. Charles Dodson and Rev. Pike Wisner officiating. Burial was in Mason Cemetery in Arp, TX.

Weldon was the husband of Jo Barnett Viertel for six years following a 58-year marriage to the late Joyce Garrett Viertel. 

Thelma Burge

Thelma Burge

Thelma Irene Burge, 98, of Albany TX was called home and embraced by her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. She was born on Feb. 19, 1922 in Quinlan, TX and was the daughter of James and Ethel Henrise, Jr. She married Floyd Cecil Burge in 1938 and the two made Albany their home.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, at the Albany Cemetery. The service will be directed by Baum-Carlock Bumgardner Funeral Home, with Chuck Sheppard officiating.