Leslie Earl Hanks, 82, passed away September 10, 2024, at home.

The funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday September 16, 2024, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home with Senior Pastor, Steve Heyduck officiating. Interment will follow at Waco Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday September 15, 2024, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey in the Garden Room.

Leslie preferred to be called Les, but he was better known as Dad and Papaw to the many kids and grandkids that he loved and that loved him. Les was born in 1942, in Corsicana, Texas. He started working at a very young age in Waco, Texas, to make sure his mom had enough to take care of him and his brother. He possessed this strong work ethic and desire to be a caretaker for his loved ones ‘till the end. Les attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1964. He was a Fightin’ Texas Aggie his whole life. On February 19, 1965, Les married the love of his life Kay Hanks. At the time of his death, they were married for 59 years. Les became a CPA after college and was well known for his business acumen and his unparalleled integrity. He loved horses, was an avid reader, enjoyed watching old Western movies and his Aggies every time possible.

Les was preceded in death by his mother, Callie Hanks; and his father, Edwin Hanks.

Survivors include his wife, Kay Hanks; and his three children, Les Hanks Jr., Lisa Hanks and Deana Bauerle. Les is also survived by his grandchildren, Cameron, Sylvia, Stephani, Hannah, Mary and Josh; his brother, Don Hanks; and great-grandchildren, Tripp, Emma and Tuff.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory on Les’ “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.

Alton R. Stone, Sr., age 83, of Whitney, passed away late Saturday evening, August 31, 2024, at Hill Regional Hospital in Hillsboro.

A Funeral Service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West with Rev. Jesse Motley officiating. Burial will follow at New Lebanon Cemetery near Aquilla. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Alton was born February 18, 1941, in Waco, the son of Nathan Boyd and Edna (York) Stone. He was a graduate of Waco High School and attended Baylor University. On February 14, 1967, he was united in marriage to Helen Benton in Leavenworth, Kansas. Helen preceded him in death on October 2, 2008. Alton proudly served his country in the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Hood. He spent time in Vietnam, Korea, Turkey, Germany, Thailand, and various bases around the world. He was a member of VFW Post #12176 in Whitney, Odd Fellows, and the American Rifle Foundation. He worked as a Correctional Officer for the State of Texas for many years. Alton enjoyed hunting, fishing, and all things outdoors, being a true outdoorsman. He also spent leisure time with HAM radio operating, but his true joy was spending time with family and friends. He was a member of Aquilla Baptist Church.

Alton is also preceded in death by his parents, and a brother-in-law, Clayton Howard.

Survivors include his son, Alton Stone Jr. and wife Tonya; grandchildren, Chad, Amanda, and Crystal; seven great-grandchildren; his sisters, Cora Black and husband Johnny, Louie Lee Fulton and husband Wylie, Edna Bosley and husband Michael, Frances Howard, and Mary Lou Nichols and husband David; brother, James M. Stone and wife Eleonore; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers are Chad Stone, Jonathan Nichols, Jonathan Henderson, Clay Sparks, Caden Whaley and Dwayne Howard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Aquilla (P.O. Box 39 Aquilla, Texas 76622).

Sammy Tucker Owens, 82, of Kerrville, TX, passed away on July 30, 2024. He passed away comfortably on hospice after being diagnosed with bladder cancer one year ago. He was born and raised in Waco, TX to Sam Mode Owens and Clariece Tucker on July 1, 1942. Sammy married Charlene Lynette Landfried on January 24, 1964, in Waco, TX.

Sammy graduated from Waco High School, class of 1960. He played shortstop for the Tigers Baseball along with participating in pole vault and high jump. Sammy received a business degree from Sam Houston State University.

Sammy joined the Army National Guard of Texas in April 1966 until honorable discharge in December 1971. He continued his support of veterans through different endeavors throughout the years, most recently as a member of The American Legion Post #208 in Kerrville.

Sam had a 35-year career with Baxter Healthcare serving in many capacities. He started as a sales representative in San Antonio, TX in 1971; promoted to Regional Manager in Virginia; promoted to Area Vice President out of Dallas serving the Southwest U.S. and later the Western half of the U.S. He was a key member of the sales force to convert I.V. fluids from glass to plastic. He was awarded many incentive trips all over the world which he and Charlene enjoyed. His greatest accomplishment was the many people he promoted, enhancing them and their family’s lives. He considered Baxter personnel as family and treated them as such. He was loved and respected by many and will be truly missed.

Sam started playing golf in his 30s and never looked back. His golf interest and talent lead him to some of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses across the country in tournaments with friends, 3 hole-in-ones, lifelong friendships and stories to share.

Sam was a member of Great Southwest Golf Club in Grand Prairie in his early years while also joining friends at Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth for uncountable times and tournaments. Then he enjoyed the remainder of his golfing ability locally at Comanche Trace Golf Club until back issues supported him to hang up the club and enjoy the golf channel from his recliner. He was grateful for the travel experiences of being a spectator during the US Open, PGA Championship and The Masters Tournament on a few occasions.

Sam and Charlene lived in Arlington, TX for 35 years. They faithfully supported the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys and continued to do so when they moved to Kerrville in 2011 to be closer to their grandsons. Sam was an active grandfather with many memories made supporting their athletics and school activities, driving golf carts, golfing, swimming and building fires.

Sammy was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Charlene, who he shared 61 years together. Sammy is survived by his only child, daughter, Michelle Karon Chancellor and husband Jon of Kerrville, TX; grandsons, Ian and Adam Chancellor of Kerrville, TX; brother, Bobby Owens (Kitty) of Burleson, TX; cousin, Ann Hawkins of Dallas, TX; sisters-in-law, Karon Sullivant (Larry) of Gainesville, TX and Celia Kramer (Ronnie) of New Braunfels, TX; nephews, Marshall Owens (Jennifer) of Mansfield, TX and John Owens (Audrey) of Burleson, TX, Burke Sullivant (Toni) of Gainesville, TX, Christopher Thompson (Lindsey) of San Antonio, TX, Mark Thompson (Marissa) of San Antonio, TX; and many great-nephews and great-nieces.

Memorial donations may be sent to the local Tivy High School Golf Team via the Booster Club organization https://tivygolf.boosterhub.com/store/7941/14804 or checks payable to Tivy Athletic Booster Club: Sammy Owens Memorial, 1100 Main Street, Kerrville, TX 78028.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Juniper Village at Guadalupe Riverfront Assisted Living in Kerrville and New Century Hospice in Kerrville. Condolences may be sent at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com.

Tommie Jo Burch Regian passed peacefully in Kingsland, TX on the morning of December 30, 2023, comfortably under hospice care while surrounded by her immediate family. She was 81 years old.

Born in Rosebud, TX in 1942 to Thomas Andrew Burch and Alma Elizabeth Robbins Burch, Tommie was raised in Waco, TX where she attended elementary, junior high, and graduated from Waco High School.  While in Waco, Tommie met and married her true love of 59 years, Burnie Regian, and later came to be the loving mother to four boys, Robert, Michael, David, and Stephen, before moving to Baytown, TX in the late 1960’s.

Tommie became very active in the Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher and the youth group, PTA, and school functions as well as local and state politics in her 20 years in Baytown. She was employed by the late Constable James Douglas until relocating with her family to the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington area in 1989 for employment. She fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and all it had to offer.

In 2003, Tommie retired early and for the next 10 years traveled across America full-time in a motorhome with her husband and son visiting 43 states, Mexico, and Canada. During her travels, she discovered and fell in love with Cody, Wyoming, where she spent the summer while traveling back to the Pacific Northwest for winter for about 8 years. Cody, Wyoming and the friends that became family there were a huge part of Tommie’s life.

Many years later, she and Burnie settled in Buchanan Dam, TX where they were surrounded by the dearest of friends.

Tommie was an avid country and western dancer who loved George Strait and held a special place in her heart for Garner State Park, the Frio River in Concan, TX, the mountains of Wyoming and Yellowstone, and the Oregon Coast. She was also an activist for women’s and human rights, and participated in protests locally, statewide, and in Washington, DC to make her voice heard and to make a difference in her life and the lives of others.

She made and loved so many friends across the USA in her travels. She was a friend to all and an adopted mother to so many. Her sense of humor and wittiness was unmatched and will forever be missed.

Tommie is preceded in death by her father, Thomas Andrew Burch, mother Alma Elizabeth Robbins Burch, brothers James Burch and Jerry Burch, and her beloved eldest son, Robert Lynn Regian. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Burnie Regian of Buchanan Dam, TX; sons Michael Regian of Buchanan Dam, TX, David Regian of Highlands, TX, and Stephen Regian of Buchanan Dam, TX; daughters in law, Kelly Regian Butler of Baytown, TX and Heather Regian of Buchanan Dam, TX; sister Beth Burch of Poulson, MT; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A very casual Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024, at The Baytown Community Center Auditorium, 2407 Market Street, Baytown, TX 77520 at 1pm. All are welcomed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Robert Regian Memorial Scholarship Fund at Lee College Baytown, TX online at  https://www.lee.edu/foundation/donate/named-scholarships/ or by calling the Lee College Foundation office at 281-425-6303

Rodger L. Felt, age 82, of Katy, Texas, passed away on March 4, 2024. He was born in San Diego, California on February 2, 1942 to Lawrence Willard Felt and Marion Olive Felt. Rodger had a career in oil and gas as an engineer for Shell and Abercrombie before eventually becoming self-employed when he opened Rodel Oil and Gas and Manufactured Pipehandlers. In his free time, he enjoyed writing poems, and cheering on his favorite teams including the Texas A&M Aggies, Dallas Cowboys, and Houston Astros.

Rodger was preceded in death by parents, Lawrence and Marion Felt, as well as his son, Bradley R. Felt. He is survived by his wife, Delind Felt; son, Gregory Felt; daughter, Deema Mata and husband, Jeremy Mata; sister, Sally Felt; niece, Sarah Felt; niece, Olivia Mendoza and husband, Kevin Mendoza; grandson, Tyler Felt; grandson, Aidan Felt and his fiance, Temple Trapp; grandson, Mason Mata; and great nephew, Elijah Lee Michaelson Mendoza.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Katy Funeral Home, located at 23350 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX 77494, to be followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM. A small family graveside service will occur on Monday, March 11, 2024 at Rodger’s final resting place in Waco, Texas.