Mr. Willie Gene Bettis, 92, of Lampasas County died at his residence on Feb. 28, 2022.
He was born on Aug. 29, 1929, in Cushing, Texas to Marcus Eugene Bettis and Dovie King Bettis. Willie grew up in Cushing.
In 1946, he moved to Jal, in southeast New Mexico. Here he began to learn the welding trade. He welded for El Paso Natural Gas for three years. After this, he worked as a mainline pipeline welder all over the United States and in Canada.
He settled in Eunice, New Mexico and welded for another company until 1969, when he established his own pipeline construction company. Mr. Bettis retired in 1980, at age 51.
He and his wife, Jimmie, were driving through Lampasas County in 1980 and came upon a piece of land near Adamsville. This is where they made their home and spent the last 40 years.
Willie married Jimmie Shoemake in 1948 in Jal, and they were married 64 years until her death in 2012.
Mr. Bettis is survived by his son, Gary Bettis and wife Pamela of Andrews; one brother, Charlie Bettis of Eunice, New Mexico; one sister, Olga Howard of Depew, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Bradley Bettis and Abby Mathison; 17 greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; daughters Sharon Bettis and Janice Bettis; one brother, Homer Bettis; and one grandchild, Ben Bettis.
A funeral service was held March 3 at Adamsville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dale Adams officiating.
Burial is scheduled at 11 a.m. March 5 at Andrews North Cemetery in Andrews, with the Rev. Larry Brewer to officiate. Heritage Funeral Home of Lampasas has charge of arrangements.
