Riley Bickerstaff

Riley Zane Bickerstaff was born to Allie Oleen Chandler and John Sidney Bickerstaff June 8, 1929 at Lakeview, Texas, Hall County. Zane, as he was called then, was the oldest of 4 children, Winfred Keet Bickerstaff, Amy Carol Bickerstaff Wright, and Sandra Norvell Bickerstaff Pregartner. Hew was a caring and protective older brother. Zane graduated from High School in Panhandle, Texas.

Zane joined the naval reserves and later went into full time active duty in the Navy. He served his country proudly on the USS Lewis, a Destroyer Escort, during the Korean Conflict from 19521956.

Zane met his first wife, Doris June Harper through her uncle Homer Harper, who was Zanes employer at the time. They were married in Shawnee Oklahoma, on January 9, 1953. He moved his new bride to San Diego California, where he was stationed. Zane and Doris had their first born child, Clifton Brian, while in the Navy. The couple moved to Kermit Texas in 1956 where Zane was employed by Cabot Corporation. Two daughters were born there, Kimberly Estelle and Judy Gall. They were very active in Grace Temple Baptist Church, both teaching R.A.s and G. A.s. In 1962 Zane was transferred to Beaver Oklahoma with Cabot. The couple again was very active in the First Baptist Church. In 1979, Zane was transferred back to Kermit. Doris passed away in 1983.

Zane still with lots of love to give met Joyce. Joyces niece Lois played matchmaker and introduced them. They were married on April 21, 1984. Joyce met him as Riley and thus began his second life. Joyce and Riley made their home in Kermit, and then after retirement they moved to Odessa. Riley was an active deacon in the 2nd Baptist Church, and loved to share the gospel with everyone. Though out his life he never met a stranger and always had a story if you had time to hear it. Riley fit Right into Joyces family and really enjoyed the company of her siblings. He enjoyed not only watching his children and grandchildren grow but also he loved watching Joyces family grow. Riley and Joyce loved attending Navy reunions and seeing old friends. Riley also enjoyed his extended family at the DQ he loved his strawberry milk shakes and his countless other friends that he adopted as his own. Riley loved to go fishing and his two dogs Peter and Holly. He also enjoyed looking at the globe and pointing out place he had been in the Navy. The kids would get a kick out of his stories.

Riley was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris June, son Clifton Brian, daughter Judy Gail, two granddaughters Kristin Elaine and Katie June Taylor, and a sister, Sandra Norvell Pregartner.

He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Kimberly Estelle and Lowell Harper of Booker TX, grandchildren, Jenny Lee and Joel Schauer of Bismarck ND., Kirby Joe, and Tanae Harper, John Lowell, Jade Elisabeth, Brett, Blake, Brooke, Brittani, Brianna of Liberal KS, and Micah June and Brett Duke of Booker TX. daughter in law: Sherry Bickerstaff, and grandchildren James Riley and Jessica Bickerstaff, Kevin, Lance Riley, and Mason Lee of Liberal KS. soninlaw: Mike and Lauri Taylor, Kara Lynn and Parker of Midland TX. a step daughter: Bianca Brister grandchildren Christina and Neal Egor, Austin and Albany of Kissimmee FL. step son Keith and Phyllis Brister grandchildren Michael Brister, Danny Cricks, Nikki and George Gentes, Cade, Quinn, and Kyson step daughter: Rene and Mark Kindol, Stephanie and Jenny, Curtis, and Melissa Chambers of Georgetown TX. a brother, Winfred Keet Bickerstaff and a sister, Amy Carol Wright of Panhandle, Texas.

Visitation with the family will be 67 PM Thursday, January 13, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 9:00 AM on Friday January 14, 2011 at Second Baptist Church with Randy S. Duckett officiating. Burial will follow in Kermit TX.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Thursday, January 13, 2011
67 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Second Baptist ChurchHa
711 East 17th
Odessa, TX  79761
Friday, January 14, 2011
9:00 AM

Cemetery

Kermit Cemetery
Kermit, TX  79745

Memorial Contributions

http://www.epartnersingiving.com/catherinedarleneberryhill
811 Central Drive
Odessa, TX  79761



P.O. Box 1890
Amarillo, TX  79174