Roll Call Tribute

Published in GoSanAngelo from April 3 to April 4, 2010 Billy Riffe Shurley SONORA Billy Riffe Shurley of Marfa and San Angelo, Texas, died Wednesday, March 31, 2010, surrounded by his family. Bill was born Aug. 15, 1926, to Edgar Derry Shurley and Rae Riffe Shurley. When Bill was 4 years old, his mother passed away. Bill's father married Ruth Tipton Shurley and they were blessed with Bill's little sister, Derry Kay. They made their home on the family ranch south of Sonora, Texas. His parents; stepmother; and second wife Louellen Shurley, preceded Bill in death. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 3, 2010, in the cemetery in Sonora, Texas. Arrangements are by Kerbow Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Marfa, Texas. Bill played high school football and played in the marching band for the Sonora Broncos. He was an Eagle Scout and awarded the Order of the Arrow. He was also an accomplished pianist. Bill was in the class of '46 at Texas A&M University but was unable to graduate due to enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He served as a gunner on the B-29 Superfortress. After the war he attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a B.S. degree in wool technology. While at the university, he played football for the Wyoming Cowboys and was honored as a Little All-American running back. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In 1949, he married Jane Bryant and upon his graduation, they moved to Marfa, Texas, where they began a long life of West Texas ranching; during which time, he lived a very full and diverse life. Bill was recently awarded Agricultural Conservationist of the Year. Bill passed down his love of sports, music and a sense of fun to his grandkids. "Paw Paw" was so proud of all of their accomplishments. He loved to follow them as they competed in swimming, soccer, baseball, football, band, theatre and singing. He was always there to saddle up "Old Pinto" for horseback riding and driving the infamous "dune buggy," and hunting mule deer, quail and coyotes. All of the grandkids cherish lessons learned and time spent with their grandfather. Other highlights in Bill's life include his starring role as Ed Kerr in the Walt Disney movie, "Sancho The Homing Steer," narrated by Rex Allen, taken from a J. Frank Dobie short story. He was photographed as the Marlboro man for billboards and print ads. He was a model for Ralph Lauren in fashion magazines. However, his real passions were flying and being a cowboy. Bill was a member of the AOPA since 1951 and a member of the Quiet Birdsmen Association. He set a world record for towing four sailplanes simultaneously. He was also the tow pilot on the record setting "Border to Border" sailplane flight of four sailplanes that flew from Mexico to Canada. He was a member of the Confederate Air Force. Bill was a gold card member of the PRCA. He loved steer roping and team roping. He was competing in the steer roping at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on the day of the first lunar landing. He was a member of the Marfa school board, Marfa TV Cable Co. board, Presidio County Airport board, Rio Grande Electric board and the University of Texas McDonald Observatory board. Bill was a longtime member and held many leadership positions at the First United Methodist Church of Marfa. Many comments have been made about Bill, but one in particular stands out from one of his friends: "He had the most beautiful smile when he told you no. You just had to like him anyway!" There was always a twinkle, a perceptible tenderness and love for his fellow man in his eyes. That will always be with us; even now that he's finally been "turned out" into his Maker's green pastures. We will miss him. Bill is survived by his children, Michael Shurley and wife Suzanne, Patricia Shurley Bodenhamer and Rachael Shurley Nixon and husband Gene; and his sister, Derry Kay Shurley Bosch. Grandchildren are Katheryn Shurley, Bryant Shurley and wife Christal, Emily Shurley and Benjamin Shurley, Chloe Bodenhamer Marriott and husband Derek, and Christian Bodenhamer, Hannah Jane Nixon Goodman and husband Creel, Asa Nixon and Caleb Nixon. Great-grandchildren are Aislin Nixon, Riley Walker, Lexi Goodman, Sawyer Goodman, Kherrington Shurley, Grant Taylor-Shurley and soon-to-be born, Vivica Marriott. His godchild, Jamie Steen, also survives Bill. Special nieces and nephews surviving "Uncle Billy" are Doug Ridge, Jane Ridge Austin, Jimmy Ridge, Becca Ridge McKibbin, Bridget Bosch Adair and Alison Bosch. Bill is also survived by Jane Bryant Shurley. She is the mother of his children and was a lifelong friend. Pallbearers are Bill's grandsons Bryant, Ben, Christian, Asa, Caleb and Creel. Honorary pallbearers are Britt Webb of Marfa, Glen Richardson of Sonora, Gen. Chuck Yeager, Gen. Joe Engle, U.S. Senator Alan Simpson (retired) Wyoming, and Babe Martoglio. Also honored are his surviving University of Wyoming football teammates Leroy Pearce, Dick Campbell and George Grace. Bill's family would like to thank the Adult Enrichment Center of San Angelo for the love and care they extended to him; Comfort Keepers for the dignity they allowed him to have while he was in their care; in particular, Anna and Aurora. The family also wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Chris Vanderzant and the staff at Shannon's 6th floor Rehab who helped Daddy "beat" Parkinson's. We also want to thank Shannon Drs. Zobek, Gibson, Berger and Buchanan for the care they gave Daddy while he was in the hospital. We want to thank Shannon's ER staff and those caring professionals on Shannon's 5th floor, in the OR and in the 3rd floor ICU Unit. You softened our heartbreak with your tenderness toward our father and your care for us. Thank you. Memorials can be made to The Adult Enrichment Center, 6146 Appaloosa Trail, San Angelo, TX 76901; The West Texas Boys Ranch, 36 W. Beauregard Ave., San Angelo, TX 76903; The Marfa EMS, the Marfa Volunteer Fire Dept. and The Marfa Public Library, Marfa, TX. 79843.

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