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As an executive with the federal government, a dedicated family man, and an avid rancher, Noel D. Wall never wasted a minute. He had high standards, and with every success, he looked for the next challenge. If he couldn't get something done as quickly as he'd hoped, he'd often say with a smile, "Time just ran out on me." The same could be said for the morning of New Year's Day. Mr. Wall died at his home in Bells, TX, after a brave battle with ALS. Nancy (Monroe) Wall, his high school sweetheart and wife of 49 years, was by his side.

Mr. Wall was born in Sherman on October 21, 1938, and grew up on his parents' dairy, outside Pottsboro, milking cows every morning and evening. He met Nancy, the love of his life, at church, and they were married in 1960. To pay for her engagement ring, he joked that he had milked 12,000 cows.

After graduating from Denison Senior High School, where he was named "Most Dependable" in the senior class and received the Hi-Y Cup of Complete Manhood, he earned a business degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, in Durant, and a master's of public administration from the University of Oklahoma, in Norman. He was later named a distinguished alumnus of both Denison Senior High and Southeastern Oklahoma State.

Mr. Wall began his four-decade career with the Social Security Administration in 1960 and was appointed to his first executive level job at the age of 30. From 1985 to 1997, he served as the regional commissioner of SSA serving Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. This territory was later expanded to include Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Over the years, he won numerous honors for his leadership, including the Presidential Rank Award, which was awarded by President Bill Clinton, and the Ewell T. Bartlett Award for Humanity in Government, which he received in part for his tireless efforts after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, in Oklahoma City, where sixteen SSA employees lost their lives.

His commitment to helping others extended beyond his government service. Mr. Wall was on the Texoma Regional Advisory Council on Aging and was active at Western Heights Church of Christ, where he served as an elder for nine years. Yet he was as comfortable in his Wranglers and boots as he was in a suit and tie. He had a lifelong love of horses and especially enjoyed raising and showing cutting horses. And he passed his love of the outdoors along to his six-year-old granddaughter Madeline, whose pony, Dandy, is named for Mr. Wall's father.

Mr. Wall is survived by Nancy, their daughter Shelley Parks, of Plano, their daughter and son-in-law Noelle and Brian Sweany, of Sachse; his four grandchildren, Greg Parks and his wife Andrea, of Rowlett, Dustin Mitchell, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Madeline and Colin Noel Sweany, of Sachse. He is also survived by his sister, Danna Beth Schleuse, of Denison, his cousin, Rick Fawcett, of Denison, his father-in-law, R. E. Monroe, of Denison, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Shirley Monroe, of Flower Mound, numerous nieces and nephews, and a life-long friend who was more like a brother, Frank Darrow and his wife, Irene, of Sachse. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Wall Mitchell, his son-in-law Bill Parks, and his beloved parents, J.F. (Dandy) and Mildred Wall.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Joanie Amorosa for her good-natured and compassionate assistance.

Bill was born in Fort Worth on June 1, 1961. He was loved by many as evidenced at his funeral where more than 600 people attended. Bill loved to fish and hunt with his wife, children, brothers-in-law and nephews.

Bill was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in September of 2008. He had never smoked. He was a contractor and most likely got his cancer from asbestos, however, the doctors could not say for certain. He fought a very hard fight. After going through treatment at UT Southwestern and MD Anderson, he finished his fight at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa. He came home to Colleyville on Friday, October 30, 2009 and died in his home with 27 family members around him on Monday, November 2, 2009.

Bill is survived by his wife, Stacy; son, Jared; daughter and son-in-law, Casey and Barrett Mayfield; daughter, Hanna; father, Josh Josserand; mother, Hattie Josserand; sister and brother-in-law, Cindy and David Wallace and many other family members and friends.

We love him so and miss him terribly, but are happy for him. Bill saw angels in the last hour before his death. We know he is with the angels now, he is not in pain, and is probably catching the biggest fish ever!

David was born May 9, 1955 to Darrell and Joanna Ward. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1978. Throughout his life, he was a role model and hero to everyone fortunate enough to know him. He was a nationally renowned, highly respected health-care executive. David was married to his loving wife, Bonnie for 32 years. He was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2004; and was given six months to a year to live. David's faith and will to live was strong. He lived for another 3 years; and was able to enjoy his grandchildren. David was an inspiration to everyone. He lived well and died well; keeping his love for God and his family at the forefront. He is missed daily by all who knew him.

David was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kylee Nicole. He is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie; son, Jacob; daughter, Candace Harris; grandchildren, Kylee and Christopher; father, Darrell; mother, Joanna; brother, Daniel; sister, Suzanne Bowman; and other family members.

Roy, our son, brother, father and grandfather was here on earth for a short 56 years, but left a loving imprint on all our hearts. He loved fishing at his lake home in Murchison, Texas. He also loved riding his motorcycle and working on his trucks, just living the simple life in East Texas. To know Roy was to love him deeply and he had such a strong heart and will to help everyone else, no matter what their needs.

He was first diagnosed with stage four colon and rectal cancer in July, 2007. Over seventeen months, he fought courageously through radiation and chemotherapy treatments, painful surgery and then a nutritional program of over 100+ pills a day. He would not give up and would not allow his family to give up. The last few weeks on this earth found him witnessing to other fishermen about his love for the Lord. His family was most important to him and were with him through those last days - caring and comforting him along with the wonderful, sweet care of his hospice friends who were at his side. We miss him dearly, but we are at peace knowing he is no longer suffering and is at rest in God's kingdom - probably fishing on one of those beautiful lakes in paradise.

Good Fishing, Roy!

Mom, Dad, Gail, and Bevelyn

Rob Johnson, affectionately known as "Squirrel," passed away on February 1, 2008 in Tyler, Texas. He was married to Janie for 40 years and they have one son, Ryan, who was their pride and joy. Rob was a teacher and coach for 35 years and touched the lives of many young students. Rob was diagnosed with leukemia in February 1992 and fought a great fight. His family and friends are grateful for the 16 years that he lived past the chemo days.

Rob loved all sports. When his knees gave out, many of his teammates remember yelling, "Limp Rob, limp!" as he hit the softball and limped on to first base. That was the end of softball for him. Then he changed to golf. His hero was Ben Hogan. Rob probably had the largest collection of Ben Hogan hats of anyone. He also collected hat pins and ball markers. Rob was also a huge Dallas Cowboys and Mavericks fan. His mood was definitely determined by their wins and losses.

Thanks, Rob, for many precious memories — you are missed by many who love you.

Sonny grew up in the Dallas area as the oldest of five. All of the boys in the family were always interested in and played many sports, as kids in school, and even as they got older. Once he had children, he turned to playing adult softball; and also coached soccer and baseball for his son and served on the Board of Boys Baseball, Inc. for many years.

As an older adult, he loved golf and was very good at the game. Around 2003, he convinced Jane to move to Pecan Plantation in Granbury, TX with two beautiful golf courses. Once he retired in 2005, his golfing days were few and far between, because he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and they spent many days on the road back and forth to UT Southwestern in Dallas with many tests, eventually surgery, follow-up chemo treatments, blood transfusions and radiation.

He was in and out of the hospital many times. He had a strong spirit and determination to fight cancer even though he was exhausted from all the treatments that he undertook. He loved his wife, Jane and his children, Kim, Donna, and Mike and all his grandchildren. He was devoted to his mother, brothers and sister and all their families and a faithful Christian in his church in Granbury. He served in the Naval Reserve and worked in the plumbing industry. He finished his fight with cancer on April 23, 2007.

Cancer is such a horrible disease and touches so many families. Sonny was a participant in this very golf tournament up until last year and was very supportive of all the endeavors of the American Cancer Society.

This is a story about my mom and what the American Cancer Society did for her and my family.

In February of 2002, my mom, who was already a 10 year survivor of cancer, found out she had cancer again. This time it was lung cancer and it was very aggressive. By the time the doctors tried to operate in April of 2002, the cancer had grown out of the lung and attached itself to 3 ribs, making surgical removal impossible. So the doctors decided the best course of action was chemotherapy treatments.

On April 28, 2004, after some 250 plus treatments, and some much enjoyed extra time spent with my mom, including her living long enough to see her first great grandchild, she passed away. After 2 years of surgery and chemo and untold medical visits including home hospice care, my mom's medical bills were in the neighborhood of about $1,250,000.00. My parents' insurance paid about $250,000.00 of that figure. Since my mom's doctor was a long time supporter of the American Cancer Society he recommended her for financial assistance from them. As far as my sister and I could tell, they picked up $990,000.00 of the doctor and hospital bills. We were so thankful to them for their help and we always look for ways to support their cause.

Our family chooses to support that charity more so than any other for this very reason. So this makes my playing in the GPI tournament even more special for me. Hope this will inspire lots of new players and families to join your family and mine in supporting these groups. Every penny helps someone get the care and support needed in the worst of circumstances.

Thanks for letting me share my mom's story.

Donny Fielder