Obituaries
Billy Joe thetford
Billy Joe Thetford, of Killeen, passed away at the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Temple on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, at age 91. Visitation and viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. The family will hold a memorial service the following week, after cremation as Thetford requested. The service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday Nov. 9, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Thetford was born June 24, 1931, to Joe Jefferies Thetford and Sammie Lewis Thetford at Horn Hill. He grew up in the Horn Hill community and attended school in Groesbeck. He served in the U.S. Army from November 1951 to Nov. 29, 1954, during the Korean war. He was not in combat, but he laid communications lines across the Korean countryside. Thetford had many various work experiences during his lifetime. While living in Oklahoma, he sold velvet paintings which he imported from Mexico. When the family moved to Freeport, he opened and operated a successful business named Black Light, where he sold swimsuits, seashells and other beach things.
Gretchen Funderburk
Gretchen Woodruff Funderburk, 83, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022.
Billie Mac Beene
Billie Mac Beene, 89, passed away Oct. 7, 2022, at his home near Teague following a lengthy battle with leukemia. Billie was born to Roy and Alma Beene on Aug. 9, 1933. He was delivered by his grandfather, Dr. E. I. I. Baty. He graduated from Teague High School in 1950 and began working at the L.R. Boyd Motor Co. in the Parts Department shortly thereafter while also helping his dad in the farming operation. He was drafted into the Army in 1953 and served a two-year tour of duty. Upon return from the military he rejoined Boyd Motor. He also returned to helping his dad build Beene Farms into a successful operation raising cotton, hogs and cattle. It was during this time that he met Beth Beene, the love of his life as well as best friend and Number 1 business partner. They married April 30, 1960. He would then join the Donie Bank and later become a part owner in the bank. In 1974, he and Beth bought the Freestone Store and later Teague Supply. In the mid-1970s he left the bank to devote all his time to Beene Farm. Billie, Beth and their three nephews later formed Beene & Eubanks Cattle. He was incredibly proud of the ranching operation that he and the family built over the years. He loved buying land and improving the land as exemplified when he was named Conservationist of the Year for Freestone County.
