Obituaries

Charlie Vin Gamblin, age 73, of Brownwood, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, in an Abilene hospital. Charlie was born on September 16, 1949, in Victoria, to E.B. and Geneva (Johnson) Gamblin. He graduated from Karnes City High School where he was a star athlete in track and baseball. Charlie went on to serve his country in the Marine Corps as a sergeant in the 1st Marine Expeditionary Forces in Vietnam. He graduated with his BBA from the University of Texas in 1974 and from St. Mary’s School of Law in 1977. In 1978, Charlie opened his private law practice in Brownwood. He enjoyed part-time ranching while practicing law, and full-time ranching when he retired from his law practice. He loved practicing law. Charlie married Ginger McGregor in Brownwood, on January 31, 1985. Charlie was always up for an adventure. He and Ginger loved to travel around the United States and abroad. Charlie was a problem solver and could fix anything. Farming, ranching and the great outdoors were his passion. Charlie was very generous to many different organizations and local causes. Charlie is survived by his wife of 36 years, Ginger Gamblin of Brownwood, two brothers, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister. A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made to a donor’s favorite charity. Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the family online at heartlandfuneralhome.com.

Wayland Doyle Hood, 63 passed away on Monday, January 2, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at 10 am on Saturday, January 7th at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, with interment to follow at Blanket Cemetery. Wayland was born on Wednesday, January 28, 1959 in Comanche, TX to Douglas and Betty Hood. Wayland married Kelly Stratford on November 13, 2013. He enjoyed fishing, boating, woodworking, dominos, horseshoes and washers. Wayland loved Nascar, the Dallas Cowboys and having a BBQ with family and friends. His pride and joy, was spending time with his grandbabies and being very proud of his grandson Trent, for serving in the U. S. Navy. Nothing meant more to him than his family and friends. Wayland was always there and never hesitated to help anyone in need. The main person in his life was his wife Kelly Hood, his love and devotion for her was unimaginable and never ending. Wayland is survived by his wife Kelly Sue Hood of Baytown, TX; daughter Brandy Hood-Hudson of Hattiesburg, MS; son Derek Hood and wife Kristen of Blanket, TX; stepson Bryce Stratford and wife Racheal of Baytown, TX; stepdaughter Hayley Fort and husband Ronny of Baytown, TX; mother-in-law Susan Popham of Crosby, TX; brother Wendell Hood and wife Lauren of Dayton, TX, sister Wanda Sarhan and husband Saeed of Austin, TX; sister Angela Brunini and husband Johnny of Mississippi; sister Tammy Mackey of Brooksmith, TX Sterling Hill of Blanket, TX; sister Rhonda Hill of Brownwood, TX; brothers, Lenny, David and Robbie Dauzat of Mississippi; 9 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins to count along with uncles. He is preceded in death by sets of grandparents; father Douglas Aldean Hood; mother Betty Delores Hill; brothers, Douglas Wayne Hood and Darrell Hood; and sister Donna Hood. In Lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: Houston Chow

Ira M. “Milt” Smith, age 74, of La Vernia passed from this life on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan in San Antonio with his wife by his side. Funeral Services for Milt will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Blaylock Funeral Home Chapel with Bill Slaymaker officiating; burial with Military Honors will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood. Milt was born to Ira H. Smith and Lela Mae (Collier) Smith, on February 2, 1948, in Brownwood. Milt attended Brownwood High School and served in the United States Army upon graduation. He served our country in the Vietnam War, earning many medals including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Following his service to our country, Milt continued to serve others working in Law Enforcement for many years, and retired later in life as a Truck Driver. On June 9th of 1990, Milt married Celeste Saldivar. Milt and Celeste lived in the San Antonio/LaVernia area the last 23 years, and enjoyed a slow-paced life together, with their pets. Milt was known as a jokester, with a contagious laugh that warmed the hearts of many. He loved his family deeply and showed his love through teasing and affection. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends, but his laughter will forever ring in our hearts. Milt is survived by his wife, Celeste Smith; two sons, Robby Smith and wife Eugenia, David Smith and wife Jamie; three daughters, Tammy Gillam, Shannon Soto and husband Ernest, and Heather Walter; stepson, Shawn Hohertz; 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; sister, Debra Brown and husband Tony; and brother, Glen Smith and wife Tina. Milt is also survived by his loving wife’s family, father and mother-in-law, Oscar and Margie Saldivar, sisters-in-law, V

John Phillip (Phil) Willson, 70, of Clyde died Tuesday, January 3, 2023, in an Abilene hospital. No services are scheduled at this time.

Patsy Louise Callaway Townsend, age 83 passed away peacefully on Friday, December 30, 2022. Her family will host a visitation on Tuesday, January 3rd from 5 to 7 pm at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Funeral Service will be 10 am Wednesday January 4th in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at the Blanket

January 21, 1939 December 25, 2022 Larry Lee Nettleship was born on January 21, 1939, to Clyde Lee Nettleship and Montie Irene (Maxcey) Nettleship in San Saba, Texas. Larry was raised on his family’s ranch in the Locker community in north San Saba County with his older brother, Clyde Maxcey Nettleship, and his younger sister, Peggy Joy Nettleship Boeke. In 1945, his older brother Clyde Maxcey was thrown from a horse and died as he laid in the lap of his 6-year-old brother, Larry. The following months and years were difficult for the family after Clyde Maxcey’s death. Through their faith in Christ, they overcame this tragedy. Larry and his sister, Peggy, enjoyed summers and holidays with their first cousins, Mac Danner Maxcey, Jim Maxcey, Bob Maxcey, Nancy Maxcey Hankins, Jill Jackson Landon, and Jack Jackson. The cousins were exceptionally close and regarded each other more as siblings. Larry graduated from Richland Springs High School in 1957. From there he continued his education at the University of Texas and then at Howard Payne University. He was an outstanding athlete and threw the shot put and discus for Howard Payne University. While at Howard Payne, Larry won the Lone Star Conference Championship in discus throwing. After graduating from college, Larry began a distinguished career as a coach, teacher, and counselor. On December 21, 1963, he married the love of his life and “best friend”, Allison Kay Smith, of Chilton, Texas. After their marriage, the couple resided in San Saba. One year after their marriage, Larry and Kay were in a major automobile accident that left Kay in critical condition with an uncertain outcome. After months of recovery and through their faith in Christ, Larry and Kay resumed their life together and started a family. Larry and Kay resumed their life together and started a family. The couple lived in Brownwood, Lubbock, Seymour, and Coleman before coming back to Larry’s place of birth in San Saba in July of 1976. Larry conti

Todd Bertrand Semple d ied the day a f t e r Christmas at home with his sister Toni Semple and his brother-in-law Rowdy Herrington. He was 69 years old. Over the course of his life he touched many hearts and is sorely missed. For the last thirty years he was a client of Reach, Inc. and loved Bozeman, Montana. He participated in Bozeman’s Special Olympics and skied with Eagle Mount volunteers at Bridger Bowl. Todd loved birds, especially cardinals. He also liked water gun fights and playing Tag, You’re It! He is preceded in death by his older brother Jock Stilwell Semple, his father William Stilwell Semple and his mother Margot DuBose Stevens.

Ruth Holland, aged 90, passed peacefully in her sleep the morning of December 19, 2022 and is now at rest in the arms of her sweet Jesus. As a child she loved school, animals, making art, and going to the movies. As an adult she developed her creative and artistic talents in sewing, knitting and crocheting, quilting, and painting, all the while working full-time at various stores and manufacturing plants and raising her children. In her long life, she showed a remarkable ability to adapt to the changing times, from her first car rides in a Model T, using outhouses, and living in a house without running water or electricity, to flying in airplanes and mastering texting on her phone. She was for most of her life a devoted member of the United Pentecostal church; in her later years she attended services virtually, having learned how to use the internet and social media. Born in Graham, Texas, to Perry and Omie Taylor, she was the youngest of four daughters. Her parents and her sister Inez preceded her in death; Ruth is survived by her sisters, Faye Van Winkle and Jean Cox of Breckenridge, Texas, and numerous nephews and nieces and their families. In 1957 she married Louis Holland, who passed this life in 2013. Her five children were her greatest joy in life and she is survived by all of them: Regenia Rose (Hollis) of Eastland, Texas; Johnny Sharp of Blanket, Texas; Lora Holland Goldthwaite (John) of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina; Kevin Holland (Lisa) of Magnolia, Texas; and Kerry Holland (Melody) of Abilene, Texas. She experienced as great a joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jimmy Cox (Jill) and daughters Kaylee and Krysta; Shanna Packer and daughter Makayla; John David Sharp (Aiden) and daughters Lillian, Mia, Trinity, Destiny, and Penelope; Meghann Sharp Browne and daughter Myla; Hannah Arrington (Conner) and daughter Eleanor; Travis Holland; Karisa Holland; Blake Holland; Nikki Baker (Justin) and daughters, Kinsley and Kara; Brandy Quigley (Justin) a

Steven Rock Hager passed away in Brownwood, Texas on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the age of 73. He lived a life enriched with his zest for adventure and his steady determination to never give up. Memorial services will be held at Heartland Funeral Home on December 28th at 2:30 p.m. Steve was born in Seattle, Washington. Growing up he lived all over the country, from West Palm Beach, Florida to Bakersfield, California. Steve started working at a very young age shining shoes. In his teens he worked as a log skinner, a beef boner, and a horse trainer to name a few. When Steve was 23, he opened his first automotive business (Hager Automotive) in Jasper, Texas. Steve was a gifted automotive mechanic - understanding every nut and bolt of a car and “he knew transmissions”. Steve was also an entrepreneur, owning several successful businesses throughout his life including Brownwood Transmission and Reliable Auto Sales both in Brownwood and Las Vegas. Steve loved drag racing, raising cattle and goats, fishing, hunting, farming, bailing and selling hay, driving 18-wheelers, scuba diving, and flying his Cessna 152. Steve is survived by his wife Jan Hager, brother Dana and his wife Debbie Hager, brother Mark and his wife Kathy Edson, brother Jeff Edson, and sister Cindy Willman and her husband Jimmy Willman. He is also survived by his son CAPT (USN) Bryan Hager and his wife Kristen Hager, daughter Krista Woolley and her husband Roger Woolley, son LtCol (USMC Ret.) Garrett Hager and his wife Sarah Hager, son LtCol (USMC) Michael Hager and his wife Michelle Hager, and his ten amazing grandchildren. Steve was preceded in death by his mother Zona Jean Downs, father Larry Hager, stepmother Bella Hager, his uncle Fred Hamilton, and aunt Evelyn Hamilton. Memorial donations may be made to the GBS/CIDP Foundation International 375 East Elm Street, Suite 101, Conshohocken, PA 19428 or online at https://www.gbscidp.