Billy Markum – June 1, 2023

 
 
Will “Billy” Edward Markum, 80, of Waco, TX passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Providence Hospice Place. .

Billy was born on August 21, 1942 in Waco to Bill and Juanita Markum, the first of 3 boys. He married Rae Jeanette Marion on January 27, 1962. He was a long-time member of Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ, where he served as a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher and lastly was a member of Crestview Church of Christ.

He worked for Caldwell Electric Shop, Central Freight Lines and Ram Aircraft. After retirement, he worked at Baylor Scott & White, Hillcrest Hospital, Home Depot and Jeff Hunter Toyota.

He worked hard his whole life and could fix just about anything. Billy was not one to sit
Billy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He loved to laugh and his smile was contagious.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Juanita, and one brother.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Rae Jeanette Markum, son Troy, daughter Leslie and husband Randy, brother Mike and wife Marilyn, grandchildren Candice and husband Med, Melody and husband Ryan, Nicholas “Nick”, Shawn and wife Elizabeth, and great-grandchildren Adelynn, Katelynn, Maisy, Calvin, Eliana, Wyatt and Layla; in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Extended family: Julie, Albert, Tabitha, Mike, Kaylee, Madison, Michael, Kayla, Jacob, Sadie and Hudson.

Special thanks to: Hospice-Community Healthcare of Texas, Gary Fulbright, Abiram Gonzales, Larry Williams, and Mark Henry.

Pictures of Billy Markum enjoying WHS60 activities

Waco Town Crier – June 2023

I hope the weather in your area is pleasant. We in Texas are getting ready for the long hot summer. Waco has had some recent rains which has helped our lake; however, Lake Waco is still over 7 feet below normal. We are still on water rationing for our yards.

Do not forget to send info to the Town Crier as input from graduates is imperative for an interesting Crier. Jim Monnig is planning to tell some stories for us in some future issues. He is a good storyteller so I am anxious to hear from him. Remember, if you go on vacation, send pictures ! A picture is worth a thousand words.

Stay safe and healthy: we are losing far too many classmates!

Here’s what you’ll find in the June issue:

  • From the Editor
  • From Our Graduates
  • Memorial Day
  • Updates
  • Remembering Mickey Lade Perkins
  • Remembering Charles Chatham
  • Do You Know?
  • June Birthdays
  • Pictures from the April Luncheon
  • Humor

Delores (Behringer) Huggins –
April 20, 2023

Dolores (Dee) Clifton Behringer Purcell Huggins passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Graveside Services will be at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Waco Memorial Park with Pastor Tom Wagner officiating.

Dee was born on June 23, 1942, in Waco, Texas to Evelyn and Willard Clifton, Sr. at Hillcrest Baptist Hospital.  Dee graduated from Waco High School in 1960 and attended Baylor University for 2 years. In 1971 she became a Licensed Realtor and worked for Jim Stewart Realtors in Waco, Texas for 12 years. 

In 1985 in Waco, Texas she met the love of her life Dick Huggins, their love of traveling took them on wonderful cruises to England, London, and Paris, France during their 12 years of marriage. In 1990 they moved to April Sound on Lake Conroe. where she continued her Real Estate career with Pat Anderson Properties for 15 years and then Coldwell Banker United for 15 years.

On September 16, 1996, her life suddenly changed, Dick passed unexpectedly in his sleep. Her decision to remain at Lake Conroe was not an easy one but she had established her Real Estate career with many clients who became her friends and had a strong supporting group to help her through such a difficult time.

Health issues made her decision to hang up her realtor sign “Call Dee to See” In 2018, she moved back home to Waco to be closer to family and special friends. She resided at The Blake at Waco for many years before she passed.

Dee loved dancing, traveling, card games of any kind, and of course; Elvis Presley, she had a room in her home dedicated to Elvis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Willard Clifton, Jr.; husbands Tony Purcell, and Dick Huggins.

She is survived by her brother, Larry Clifton and wife, Denise of Leroy, Texas; their children, Crystal Rumer and husband, Rick of Richland Hills, Texas, Candyce Perry and Marshal of Richland Hills, Texas, Kamille Beims and husband, Josh of Hillsboro, Texas; sister-in-law, Cindy Clifton of Salado, Texas, her son, Ryon Clifton and wife, Lacey of Salado, Texas; nephew; Mark Clifton and wife, Linda of Dallas, Texas; niece, Stacy Miller and husband, Mark of Dallas, Texas as well and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Charles Chatham – May 7, 2023


Melynda Chatham posted the following on Facebook on May 8, 2023:

“The world lost the most wonderful, kindest, gentlest man ever last night.  Charles and I have been married nearly 62 years and we have known and been girlfriend/boyfriend since we were 10 years old.  My heart is shattered and I shall forever miss him…but he is free from the insidious disease of Alzheimer’s and for that I am grateful.  So goodbye, sweet husband,  till we meet again.”

The enduring love story of Charles Chatham and Melynda was featured in the September 2019 issue of the Waco Town Crier.

Mickey Lade Perkins –
August 25, 2022

 

Mickey Annette Lade Perkins, 80 years old, passed away on August 25, 2022.

She was born in Waco, Texas on March 23,1942 to her proud parents of Otto Rudolf Lade and Evva Isabel Moses Lade.

Mickey graduated Waco High School 1960 from Texas Wesleyan College 1972, Bachelor of Science Elementary Education and from North Texas State University 1984 with Master degree in Public School Administration.

Mickey was married to husband Johnny Perkins on June 17, 2007.

Mickey taught in public school for 15 years. She opened 3 daycare and preschools before buying a turkey farm. Mickey was an adventurous woman riding horses, motorcycles and flying planes. She enjoyed country music, drawing, and writing poetry. Her life was full of pets including: alpacas, birds, cats,dogs, donkey, fish, goats, hamsters, horses, lizards. mice, mules, rabbits, rats, turtles, snakes and spiders

Mickey is survived by her husband Johnny Perkins, brother Don Lade, children, Marie Bishop Peel and Chris and Angie Bishop, Laura and Tommy Roberson, and grandchildren Taylor, Sydney, Beau, Makayla, Adam and Travis, Shawna and Bruce Haynie and their children Matthew and Elliegh, Karen and Dale Ganus and their children Amanda, Meagan and Brittany.

*****
Mickey was an accomplished artist. She did a lot of the artwork in our 45th reunion directory. These were made into 8×10 prints and later these prints were sold to make money for other reunions. Mickey liked acting crazy at times and she attended all the reunions that she possibly could. Here are some pictures of Mickey having fun at different reunions with fellow classmates:

2005 with Charlotte Suttle Kleibrink 2010 with Charlotte Suttle Kleibrink
2010 as Lady Gaga 2010 with hubby, John
2010 with Jack Smith 2010 with Mickey Lady
2010 with Linda Phelps McKee 2010 with Tim Lasseter Latta
2010 with hubby, John 2010 with Gayla Miller Webb and John
2018 with hubby, John 2018 with Betty Leudeker Gatlin and John

Jeri Anne Boren Guyton –
March 29 2023

From Jeanne Harman …

I have learned that Jeri Anne Boren Guyton has recently passed away. She developed an infection that turned into sepsis. There were complications and on March 29, 2023, Jeri died.

I do not have any more information at the present but will pass along to you if and when I receive more info.
This much I know:

Jeri was born on February 19,1942 and graduated from WHS 1960. She was currently living in San Antonio with her hubby, Joe Guyton.

Jeri was a fantastic gardener … here’s an article about her gardens

I think the last time Jeri was at a reunion was our 25th. Here are some pictures that were taken at that time.


Mrs. Noah Appleton, Noah Appleton, Jeri Boren


Mary Murray, Jeri Boren


Jeri Boren Guyton, Mary Murray Lockwood, Gayla Miller Webb,
Jeanne Holland Harman, Judith Hamff Murphy, Sharon McCarthy Odell, Kay Phillips Sparks

Waco Town Crier – May 2023

 

It’s that time again. The months are flying by!!!

Attached is the May issue of the Town Crier. A great big Thank you to all who have contributed. Next month I will have some pictures of those who were at the luncheon this past week.

Parts of the Waco area had some bad storms last night (April 27th). The hail in Bellmead was reported as large as grapefruit- 4.5 inches. Sirens went off in Woodway but no tornados. They are expecting a repeat of the weather tomorrow after 3:00 pm. We need the rain but storms, storms go away! Hope all of you are remaining safe.

Now, … enjoy the May issue.

jeanne

Contents this month include:

  • From the Editor
  • From Our Graduates
  • Regarding Jeri Ann Boyton Guyton
  • Updates
  • My 80th Birthday Celebration … by David Dibb
  • Did You Know?
  • May Birthdays
  • Some Facts on the Year 1960

Waco Town Crier – April 2023


 
Almost 1/4 of the year 2023 is gone. Does the time seem to be FLYING BY for you? I know when I was young and in school, time did not pass nearly this quickly.

Attached you will find the April 2023 issue. We are so lucky that folks are telling us their furry pet stories. This month Howard Dudgeon and Tommy Ruth Blair Toler are contributors. Please keep those stories coming! Everyone loves to read about pets and the sweet memories we benefit from their existence.

Jim Monnig is doing his part to entertain us in this issue. You will enjoy his latest experience.
If you have anything to tell about an experience, a memory, a picture, or a bucket list item you want to do or have done, please share with us. Remember, YOU are the Town Crier. The more you share, the more interesting the Town Crier will be for all of us.

To all who are ailing…..please, please get well. Stay out of harm’s way with the violent storms that are occurring. Spring seems to be more dangerous nowadays or we just have more ways of knowing about the storms. At any rate, the rains are nice and so needed …. but the violent storms need to be non-existent.

I got a new computer that has been a challenge to this old brain. I hope there will be no problems with this issue. With the new learning curve and my recent cataract surgery, not sure I would know how to fix the problem but let me know if you have any trouble. Now hopefully, enjoy the April Crier. Good luck!!!
jeanne

CLICK HERE to view the April 2023 Waco Town Crier. Topics this month include:

  • From Our Graduates
  • Updates
  • April Birthdays
  • A Neat Idea
  • Fur Baby Stories
  • Did You Know?
  • 5th Grade –  North Waco Elementary
  • Words of Wisdom

Margaret Picha Featherston – December 31, 1942

   

Margie Featherston of Ovilla passed away peacefully on December 31, 2022 with her daughters and husband by her side.

She was born in Cransfills Gap, TX as the fifth of six children.

She graduated from Waco High School, then moved with her parents to Fort Worth.

She married Jack Featherston and settled in Ovilla where they lived for over forty years. She was a faithful servant who worked at Holy Spirit Catholic Church for over twenty years making an impact on many.

She is survived by husband of 57 years, Jack, daughters Laura Featherston (Debbe Robinson) and Amy Featherston (Paul Gowan) and granddaughter Lucy Ciarochi. Brothers George Picha (Gladys), Albin Picha, and Robert Picha (Jo Ann). Sister Jean Ward and many beloved nieces and nephews.

James Maxwell –
February 22, 2023

A note from John Ferguson:
This is to let you know that following a lengthy illness, our dear friend Jim Maxwell died this morning in Santa Fe. There will be no obituary, and funeral plans are private.

For those wishing to send condolences:
Gary McLeod:
100 Rio Vista Place, Apt. 146
Santa Fe, NM 87501