Robert Lee “Bob” McWilliams, 66, of Hempstead, Texas went home Wednesday, January 2,
2008. He was born February 5, 1941 in Waller, Texas to James Alton and Valina Gertrude
McWilliams. He joined his father Alton in founding McWilliams Funeral Home. Bob was
Hempstead’s friendly neighborhood funeral director but he also enjoyed other community
activities during his life such as the county fair and the Masonic Lodge. He loved to serve
and loved those he served. He enjoyed fishing with friends and family. In retirement, his
passion turned to woodworking. Bob worked hard, played hard, and loved hard and will truly
be missed. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Sara Jeanne, his sons Kevin McWilliams
and wife Dee Dee, and Bobby Boykin, his daughter Kelly Powell and husband Doug,
grandchildren Lee, Deke, and Anna McWilliams and Marshall Brewster and Amy Anderson.
Bob is also survived by his mother, Gertrude McWilliams and his sister Delta Fay Canon.
Visitation: Sunday, January 6, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at McWilliams Funeral
Home. Funeral Service: Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at McWilliams Funeral Home
with Pastors Carl Lenz and Danny Wendt officiating. Private burial to follow Tuesday,
January 8, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the Masonic Cemetery in Chappell Hill, Texas. Pallbearers:
David Rape, R.G. Williams, Mike Savell, Jimmy Needham, Doug Holloman, Bill Flanagan, and
Roland Stasny.
2008. He was born February 5, 1941 in Waller, Texas to James Alton and Valina Gertrude
McWilliams. He joined his father Alton in founding McWilliams Funeral Home. Bob was
Hempstead’s friendly neighborhood funeral director but he also enjoyed other community
activities during his life such as the county fair and the Masonic Lodge. He loved to serve
and loved those he served. He enjoyed fishing with friends and family. In retirement, his
passion turned to woodworking. Bob worked hard, played hard, and loved hard and will truly
be missed. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Sara Jeanne, his sons Kevin McWilliams
and wife Dee Dee, and Bobby Boykin, his daughter Kelly Powell and husband Doug,
grandchildren Lee, Deke, and Anna McWilliams and Marshall Brewster and Amy Anderson.
Bob is also survived by his mother, Gertrude McWilliams and his sister Delta Fay Canon.
Visitation: Sunday, January 6, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at McWilliams Funeral
Home. Funeral Service: Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at McWilliams Funeral Home
with Pastors Carl Lenz and Danny Wendt officiating. Private burial to follow Tuesday,
January 8, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the Masonic Cemetery in Chappell Hill, Texas. Pallbearers:
David Rape, R.G. Williams, Mike Savell, Jimmy Needham, Doug Holloman, Bill Flanagan, and
Roland Stasny.
| McWilliams 1941 - 2008 |
| Obituaries 2008 |
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| Laskoskie |
Alfred David Laskoskie, 86, of
Hempstead, Texas passed away
Friday, January 25, 2008. He was
born January 7, 1922 to John
Laskoskie and Catherine Wrezchorik
Laskoskie in Orchard, Texas. He is
survived by his wife Dorothy, sons:
Victor David Laskoskie and wife
Yolanda, Clyde Laskoskie, and Melvin
Laskoskie and wife Mary, daughters:
Diana Vaughn and husband Robert
and Mary Kowen and husband
Kenneth, brothers: Albert Laskoskie
and wife Mary and Lewis Laskoskie,
sister Amelia Konieczny, 15
grandchildren and 20 great-
grandchildren. Vigil: Monday, January
28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at McWilliams
Funeral Home, Hempstead with Father
James Burkart officiating. Funeral
Mass: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at
10:00 a.m. at St. Katharine Drexel
Church in Hempstead with Father Ed
Kucera officiating. Burial to follow at
St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hempstead.
Hempstead, Texas passed away
Friday, January 25, 2008. He was
born January 7, 1922 to John
Laskoskie and Catherine Wrezchorik
Laskoskie in Orchard, Texas. He is
survived by his wife Dorothy, sons:
Victor David Laskoskie and wife
Yolanda, Clyde Laskoskie, and Melvin
Laskoskie and wife Mary, daughters:
Diana Vaughn and husband Robert
and Mary Kowen and husband
Kenneth, brothers: Albert Laskoskie
and wife Mary and Lewis Laskoskie,
sister Amelia Konieczny, 15
grandchildren and 20 great-
grandchildren. Vigil: Monday, January
28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at McWilliams
Funeral Home, Hempstead with Father
James Burkart officiating. Funeral
Mass: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at
10:00 a.m. at St. Katharine Drexel
Church in Hempstead with Father Ed
Kucera officiating. Burial to follow at
St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hempstead.
| Duty |
Maxine Duty, 79, of Brookshire, Texas
passed away Wednesday, January 16,
2008. She was born January 31, 1928
to Ennis Villarreal and Christine
Gutierez Villareal. She is preceded in
death by her husband Benjamin Duty
and is survived by her daughter Lynda
Martin and one grandchild.
Arrangements were handled under the
direction of McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead.
passed away Wednesday, January 16,
2008. She was born January 31, 1928
to Ennis Villarreal and Christine
Gutierez Villareal. She is preceded in
death by her husband Benjamin Duty
and is survived by her daughter Lynda
Martin and one grandchild.
Arrangements were handled under the
direction of McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead.
| Sims |
Carol R. Sims, of Houston, Texas,
passed away Friday, January 4,
2008. She was born in Wichita,
Kansas on April 13, 1929 to Carroll
Orendurff and Nell Brown
Orendurff. She is survived by her
daughter Michelle Longely, of
Houston, Texas. Arrangements
were handled under the direction of
McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead.
passed away Friday, January 4,
2008. She was born in Wichita,
Kansas on April 13, 1929 to Carroll
Orendurff and Nell Brown
Orendurff. She is survived by her
daughter Michelle Longely, of
Houston, Texas. Arrangements
were handled under the direction of
McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead.
| Davis |
Audrey Lea Kelley Davis was born July
12, 1926 in Mansfield, Louisiana. The
family moved to Waller, Texas in
February of 1936 where Audrey
graduated from high school in May
1942. She married Joe Abney Davis,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon P. Davis of
Waller on September 1, 1944. Mrs.
Davis is preceded in death by her
daughter, Beverly Jo, and her husband
Joe. She leaves behind caring friends.
Funeral arrangements were handled
by McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead.
12, 1926 in Mansfield, Louisiana. The
family moved to Waller, Texas in
February of 1936 where Audrey
graduated from high school in May
1942. She married Joe Abney Davis,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon P. Davis of
Waller on September 1, 1944. Mrs.
Davis is preceded in death by her
daughter, Beverly Jo, and her husband
Joe. She leaves behind caring friends.
Funeral arrangements were handled
by McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead.
| Herrmann |
David Allen Herrmann, 49, of Bellville,
Texas passed away Monday, February
25, 2008. He was born November 25,
1958 in Brenham, Texas to Arthur and
Rosa Lee Herrmann. He is preceded
in death by his parents and is survived
by his wife Diana Herrmann,
step-daughter Crystal Bluma and
husband Brian, brother Dennis
Herrmann and wife Bernadine, and
niece Vickie Barrilleaux and husband
Brian. Visitation: Wednesday,
February 27, 2008 from 5 until 8 p.m.
at McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead. Funeral service:
Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:00
a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church,
Hempstead. Burial will follow at
Hempstead Cemetery with Pastor Lee
Hartman officiating under the direction
of McWilliams Funeral Home.
Pallbearers: Charles Emerson, Jimmy
Emerson, Mike Iselt, David Shelburne,
Bill Hare and Jamie Huffman. Honorary
Pallbearers: Jerry Herrmann, Gary
Robison, James McCarty, Ernie
Braband, Francis Huffman, and Kris
Satterwhite.
Texas passed away Monday, February
25, 2008. He was born November 25,
1958 in Brenham, Texas to Arthur and
Rosa Lee Herrmann. He is preceded
in death by his parents and is survived
by his wife Diana Herrmann,
step-daughter Crystal Bluma and
husband Brian, brother Dennis
Herrmann and wife Bernadine, and
niece Vickie Barrilleaux and husband
Brian. Visitation: Wednesday,
February 27, 2008 from 5 until 8 p.m.
at McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead. Funeral service:
Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:00
a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church,
Hempstead. Burial will follow at
Hempstead Cemetery with Pastor Lee
Hartman officiating under the direction
of McWilliams Funeral Home.
Pallbearers: Charles Emerson, Jimmy
Emerson, Mike Iselt, David Shelburne,
Bill Hare and Jamie Huffman. Honorary
Pallbearers: Jerry Herrmann, Gary
Robison, James McCarty, Ernie
Braband, Francis Huffman, and Kris
Satterwhite.
On March 23, 2008 Cleotilde
Contreras went to be with the Lord and
her late husband Johnny Contreras,
Sr. and grandson Christopher. She
was born in Mercedes, TX on July 1,
1934. She is survived by 5 sons:
John Jr. and wife Sylvia from Bryan,
TX, Ralph, Sr. and wife Rosa from
Cameron, TX, Tony Sr. and wife Nora
from Las Vegas, Nevada, David and
wife Lynn from Houston, TX and Martin
and wife Anna from Hempstead, TX.
She is also survived by 8 daughters:
Michaela Herrera and husband Alex,
Sr. from Hempstead, TX, Susie Mendez
and husband Joe, Sr. from Benchley,
TX, Reyes Sosa and husband Tony,
Sr. from Calvert, TX, Teresa Figueroa
and husband Joe from Hempstead, TX,
Gracey Pfeffer and husband Nelson
from Hempstead, TX, Christina
Edwards and husband Jeremy from
Calvert, TX, Gloria Contreras from
Austin, TX, Angel Baker and husband
Jason from West Virginia. Mrs.
Contreras’ survivors also include: 39
grandchildren and 56 great-
grandchildren along with 3 brothers:
Ralph Alvarado and wife Inocencia,
Paul Alvarado and wife Petra, and
Carlos Alvarado and wife Lollia; and 1
sister: Aurora Castillo. Visitation:
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 from 5-8
pm at McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead with a prayer vigil at 7:30
pm. Funeral Service: Thursday,
March 27, 2008 at 10:00 am at St.
Katharine Drexel Church with burial
following at St. Mary’s Cemetery,
Hempstead under the direction of
McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead.
Contreras went to be with the Lord and
her late husband Johnny Contreras,
Sr. and grandson Christopher. She
was born in Mercedes, TX on July 1,
1934. She is survived by 5 sons:
John Jr. and wife Sylvia from Bryan,
TX, Ralph, Sr. and wife Rosa from
Cameron, TX, Tony Sr. and wife Nora
from Las Vegas, Nevada, David and
wife Lynn from Houston, TX and Martin
and wife Anna from Hempstead, TX.
She is also survived by 8 daughters:
Michaela Herrera and husband Alex,
Sr. from Hempstead, TX, Susie Mendez
and husband Joe, Sr. from Benchley,
TX, Reyes Sosa and husband Tony,
Sr. from Calvert, TX, Teresa Figueroa
and husband Joe from Hempstead, TX,
Gracey Pfeffer and husband Nelson
from Hempstead, TX, Christina
Edwards and husband Jeremy from
Calvert, TX, Gloria Contreras from
Austin, TX, Angel Baker and husband
Jason from West Virginia. Mrs.
Contreras’ survivors also include: 39
grandchildren and 56 great-
grandchildren along with 3 brothers:
Ralph Alvarado and wife Inocencia,
Paul Alvarado and wife Petra, and
Carlos Alvarado and wife Lollia; and 1
sister: Aurora Castillo. Visitation:
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 from 5-8
pm at McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead with a prayer vigil at 7:30
pm. Funeral Service: Thursday,
March 27, 2008 at 10:00 am at St.
Katharine Drexel Church with burial
following at St. Mary’s Cemetery,
Hempstead under the direction of
McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead.
| Contreras |
| Economou |
Sofia Economou, 69, of Hempstead,
Texas passed away Thursday, March
20, 2008. She was born in Neapolis,
Greece on December 21, 1938 to
Dimitrios Pentafronimos and Matina
Minogianis Pentafronimos. She is
preceded in death by her son Pano
Evangelos Economou and is survived
by her husband, Evangelos
Economou; sons Anargyros Economou
and wife Melodie and Dimitrios
Economou and wife Rosa; brother
Vasilis Pentafronimos, sisters Maria
Barbaresos, Christina Kotsoni, and
Angeliki Batista, and five
grandchildren. Visitation: Friday,
March 28, 2008 from 5-8 pm at
McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead.
Funeral Service: Saturday, March 29,
2008 1:00 pm at McWilliams Funeral
Home with burial following at
Hempstead Cemetery with Father John
Rouse officiating.
Texas passed away Thursday, March
20, 2008. She was born in Neapolis,
Greece on December 21, 1938 to
Dimitrios Pentafronimos and Matina
Minogianis Pentafronimos. She is
preceded in death by her son Pano
Evangelos Economou and is survived
by her husband, Evangelos
Economou; sons Anargyros Economou
and wife Melodie and Dimitrios
Economou and wife Rosa; brother
Vasilis Pentafronimos, sisters Maria
Barbaresos, Christina Kotsoni, and
Angeliki Batista, and five
grandchildren. Visitation: Friday,
March 28, 2008 from 5-8 pm at
McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead.
Funeral Service: Saturday, March 29,
2008 1:00 pm at McWilliams Funeral
Home with burial following at
Hempstead Cemetery with Father John
Rouse officiating.
| Sloan |
Jackie McBride Sloan, 54, of
Brenham, Texas passed away
Wednesday, April 30, 2008. He
was born June 20, 1953 to Jack
Thomas Sloan and Juanita
Urban Sloan. He is survived by
his sister Daisy Sloan White.
Graveside services were held
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 9:00
a.m. with Chaplain Jim
Ferguson officiating under the
direction of McWilliams Funeral
Home, Hempstead.
Brenham, Texas passed away
Wednesday, April 30, 2008. He
was born June 20, 1953 to Jack
Thomas Sloan and Juanita
Urban Sloan. He is survived by
his sister Daisy Sloan White.
Graveside services were held
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 9:00
a.m. with Chaplain Jim
Ferguson officiating under the
direction of McWilliams Funeral
Home, Hempstead.
| Johnson |
Jeffery M. Johnson, 48, of Waller,
Texas passed away Wednesday,
April 30, 2008. He was born
October 6, 1959 to Marlowe
David Johnson and Betty Williams
Johnson in Flint, Michigan. He is
preceded in death by his father,
Marlowe Johnson and survived by
his wife Amy Johnson, mother
Betty Johnson, sons Jeffery
Johnson, Jr., and Jeremiah
Robert Johnson, step-son
Matthew Ryan Gray, daughter
Jewel Lyn Johnson, brother Jon
Johnson and wife Tina, sisters
Bethany Ann Johnson and
Jacqueline Suhr and husband
Frank, and in-laws Robert and
Linda Wallingford. Arrangements
were handled under the direction
of McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead.
Texas passed away Wednesday,
April 30, 2008. He was born
October 6, 1959 to Marlowe
David Johnson and Betty Williams
Johnson in Flint, Michigan. He is
preceded in death by his father,
Marlowe Johnson and survived by
his wife Amy Johnson, mother
Betty Johnson, sons Jeffery
Johnson, Jr., and Jeremiah
Robert Johnson, step-son
Matthew Ryan Gray, daughter
Jewel Lyn Johnson, brother Jon
Johnson and wife Tina, sisters
Bethany Ann Johnson and
Jacqueline Suhr and husband
Frank, and in-laws Robert and
Linda Wallingford. Arrangements
were handled under the direction
of McWilliams Funeral Home,
Hempstead.
Juan G. “Johnny” Ramirez, Sr., 51,
of Chappell Hill, Texas passed away
Sunday, June 1, 2008. He was born
June 24, 1956 in Tamaulipas,
Mexico to Apolonio Ramirez and
Josefina Gallardo Ramirez. Johnny
is survived by his wife, Maria, his
son Juan, Jr., daughters Ana
Hernandez and husband Saul, and
Maria Guadalupe Ramirez. He is
also survived by his brothers:
Ricardo Ramirez, Anastacio
Ramirez, Hilario Ramirez, and Aron
Ramirez; and his sisters: Isabell
Ramirez, Martina Ramirez, and
Maria Ramirez. Visitation:
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 from 4:00
until 9:00 pm at McWilliams Funeral
Home Chapel with a Rosary at 7:00
pm. Funeral Services: Thursday,
June 5, 2008 at 10:00 am at St.
Katharine Drexel Church,
Hempstead with Father Christopher
Terry officiating. Burial following at
Salem Cemetery, Hempstead, Texas
under the direction of McWilliams
Funeral Home, Hempstead.
of Chappell Hill, Texas passed away
Sunday, June 1, 2008. He was born
June 24, 1956 in Tamaulipas,
Mexico to Apolonio Ramirez and
Josefina Gallardo Ramirez. Johnny
is survived by his wife, Maria, his
son Juan, Jr., daughters Ana
Hernandez and husband Saul, and
Maria Guadalupe Ramirez. He is
also survived by his brothers:
Ricardo Ramirez, Anastacio
Ramirez, Hilario Ramirez, and Aron
Ramirez; and his sisters: Isabell
Ramirez, Martina Ramirez, and
Maria Ramirez. Visitation:
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 from 4:00
until 9:00 pm at McWilliams Funeral
Home Chapel with a Rosary at 7:00
pm. Funeral Services: Thursday,
June 5, 2008 at 10:00 am at St.
Katharine Drexel Church,
Hempstead with Father Christopher
Terry officiating. Burial following at
Salem Cemetery, Hempstead, Texas
under the direction of McWilliams
Funeral Home, Hempstead.
| Ramirez |
| Marshall |
Lawrence Connie Marshall, 84, of Hempstead, Texas passed away Sunday, June 15, 2008 at home. He was
born June 3, 1924 in Houston, Texas to Louis Connie Marshall and Lillie Bertha Frey Marshall. He attended
Reagan High School and later became one of its distinguished Hall of Fame Members.
In the 1950s, after becoming a renowned stock racing car mechanic and crew chief, Lawrence became
involved in the auto industry by purchasing the local Chevrolet – Oldsmobile dealership. During the 1970s
and 1980s, Lawrence won numerous sales volumes awards including Chevrolet Century Club and Oldsmobile’
s Vanguard Elite. He was also one of the top 5% volume truck dealers in the USA and a Chevrolet Service
Supremacy Medallion winner. In the 1990s, Lawrence expanded his dealerships to include two in Bryan, Texas
and one in Giddings, Texas.
He served as president and director of the Waller County Fair Association. He was also a member of both the
Houston Livestock Show Go Texan Committee and the Dairy Scramble Committee. He was a successful
cutting and roping horse breeder and owned an 8,000 acre exotic game ranch in Edwards County, Texas
known as Carta Valley Wildlife.
Lawrence also served as director of the Hempstead Country Club.
He acquired the Legendary Oaks Golf Course and developed the Lawrence Marshall Family Recreation
Center and Legendary Oaks Subdivision. Lawrence also opened the Lawrence Marshall Antique Cars and
Museum in 1999. He proved himself to be a successful real estate investor and rancher through his many
ventures.
Lawrence was a dedicated member of the Hempstead Church of Christ and was a regular contributor to the
Medina Children’s Home. He touched many lives and will be missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents Lillie and Connie Marshall, Grace Stern, sister and Vernie Marshall,
brother.
He is survived by his wife of over 64 years, Mavanell Marshall, sons Ricky Marshall and wife Holly and Monte
Marshall and wife Leisha, grandchildren: Monica Mathis and husband Michael, Monte Louis Marshall, Jr.,
Joshua Jay Marshall, Marilyn Montgomery and husband Jason, Sarah Mikolajewski and husband Chad, Laura
Nell Marshall, Cody Marshall, and Chase Marshall, 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Visitation: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 6:00 pm at McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead. Funeral
Service: Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 10:00 am at the Church of Christ, Hempstead with Brother Eugene
Dewveall officiating. Burial to follow immediately at Woodlawn Cemetery, Houston, Texas under the direction
of McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead. Pallbearers: Robert Wolfe, James Smith, Charles Stansell, Larry
Marshall, Charles Ray Shields, Frank Dansby, Eli Young, Charles Allred. Honorary Pallbearers: Mike
McDonald, Bill Pickering, John Dezangotita, Bill Hurley, Shelby Blankenship, Ed Allred, Valton Clendennen,
Harold Herrin, Frank Akins.
