Obituaries

Apr 5, 2021

Betty Jo Houtchens Ivey, of Abilene, Texas, formally from Burkburnett, Texas, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2021 at 91 years young. Graveside services will be at Burkburnett Memorial Cemetery on Thursday April 8, 2021 at 2 pm, under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street in Abilene.

Betty was born February 10, 1930 in...

Apr 1, 2021

Michael Andrew Sharp was born August 22, 1948 in Houston, Texas, the son of Joseph E. Sharp, M.D. and Clara Marie Sharp.  He passed away Thursday, April 1, 2021 at the age of 72.

His youth was spent in Hearne, Texas and then Denver City, Texas, where he graduated from high school.  Mike attended Abilene Christian College...

Mar 31, 2021

Eddie Cortez Martinez, 73 of Abilene, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.  A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 7 th , 2021 at 12:30 pm in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.  A graveside service with military honors will follow at 2:00 pm in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene.  Viewing...

Mar 27, 2021

Helen Lou Fowler, 82 of Abilene, passed away Saturday, March 27, 2021.  Arrangements are pending with Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Mar 23, 2021

Julian Comer “Jay” Derrick, of Abilene, Texas passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 after reaching the age of 88 years old.  He died peacefully at his home with family members by his side.

Jay was born on January 22, 1933 In Colorado City, Texas to Alma Leona Comer Derrick and Ralph Luker Derrick. Ralph was a...

Mar 17, 2021

Dr. Larry Bradshaw, longtime Abilene Christian University professor and founding general manager of National Public Radio affiliate KACU-FM, died March 17, 2021, in Abilene, after an extended illness. He was 77.

A visitation with family will be Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, (733 Butternut, Abilene, Texas 79602). The family requests that guests wear face...

Mar 13, 2021

Our family, friends, and community lost a pillar of strength, a servant leader, and a ray of sunshine upon the passing of Mark Hunter Rogers. Mark died on March 13 th , 2021 at 39 years of age in a motor vehicle accident.

A memorial service will be held in the auditorium at Southern Hills Church of...

Mar 13, 2021

Von Dean Carey Muncrief of Abilene, formerly of Colorado City, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2021.  Funeral service will be Thursday, March 18, 2021, at 12:30pm in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. with interment to follow at Texas Veterans’ Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to Bill, her loving husband for 63...

Feb 26, 2021

Julia Guajardo, age 87, gained her wings on Friday, February 26th, 2021 at Hendrick Hospice Center in Abilene surrounded by her family. She was born November 27, 1933 in Sweetwater, Texas to Jose and Maria (Quirino) Guajardo. Julia was a cake decorator for Abilene Bakery for many years before working as a housekeeper for H.W. Lemens and Lawler families...

Feb 24, 2021

J Alvin Dougherty peacefully passed away at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at the age of 86. A graveside service with military honors will be at the Texas State Cemetery at Abilene, Texas on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

J Alvin...

Feb 24, 2021

After nearly 91 years of an eventful and fruitful life, Betty Frances Tice Specht has moved on to her eternal home in heaven. There she joins her parents, Neil Clinton and Lodema F. Bennett, her brothers Robert Neil and William Clinton Bennett, many dear cousins, extended family and friends. As in her earthly life, we expect Betty’s Uncle John...

Feb 22, 2021

Christopher Brody Essary, 34 of Abilene, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021.  A visitation will be held Friday, February 26, 2021, from 12:00-5:00 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

Brody was born January 19, 1987 to Christopher Essary and Sharon Mitchell in Abilene.  He attended school in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School.   ...

Feb 19, 2021

James Louis Cole, 78, died peacefully in his home on February 19. A service celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in the auditorium of University Church of Christ under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

Jim was born on February 7, 1943, in Beggs, Oklahoma, to Samuel...

Feb 10, 2021

Emmitt Wade Bruton, 82, passed peacefully at home with his loving family on February 10, 2021, in Abilene, Texas.

Wade was born to Nettie Francis Hopkins and Emmett Hiram Bruton on September 30, 1938, in Hodges, Texas.

Wade grew up in Abilene and attended Wylie schools and Abilene High. He treasured fond memories of his...

Feb 9, 2021

William Steven West, 70 of Tuscola, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.  Arrangements are pending with Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Feb 9, 2021

Billie Marion Glass Heckford, 82 of Abilene, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.  A memorial service is scheduled to be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Westgate Church of Christ.  Arrangements under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Billie was born on March 19, 1938 in Dalhart, Texas...

Feb 3, 2021

Don Drennan, longtime Abilene Christian University administrator, Abilene City Council member and community servant, died Feb. 3, in Abilene, after an extended illness.  He was 85.

Services honoring his life are planned Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Beauchamp Amphitheatre on the Abilene Christian University campus.  A visitation with family will be Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at...

Feb 3, 2021

Bobby Whitt, 67 of Abilene, passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.  Arrangements are pending with Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Feb 3, 2021

Brenda Lou (Aberegg) Amonett, passed peacefully to her long-awaited heavenly home on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.  A celebration of Life will be held at the Baker Height Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. with a visitation starting at 9:30 a.m.   Interment will now be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 23,...

Feb 3, 2021

LeRoy Thompson, beloved husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa and friend went home with our Lord on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 in Abilene, Texas. LeRoy was born in Yoakum, Texas on June 9, 1930 to Henry Royal and Bessie Irene Thompson. He was the fifth of eight children.

LeRoy met the love of his life, Ruri Nakazawa, while...