Obits

DAINGERFIELD -- Services for Don Phillips, 55, of Daingerfield were held Jan. 8, at South Union Baptist Church under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. Mr. Phillips was born Aug. 31, 1962 and died Dec. 29, 2017. An online guestbook may be signed at www.reeder-davis.com.

DAINGERFIELD -- Services for William Kenneth “Bill” Goodson, Jr., 84 of Longview, Will be held at 2:00 p.m. Jan. 11 at the First United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Nail-Haggard Funeral Home. Bill was born on Aug. 18, 1933 in Texarkana, Texas to William Kenneth Goodson, Sr. and Christine Crain Goodson. He died on Saturday, Jan. 6, at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Bill graduated from Bethany Nazarene College with a BA in music and later got his Masters degree from SFA in Music Education. Bill began his career as a choir director and public school music teacher in Atlanta ISD. He also taught choir at Texas High School in Texarkana. He began his career as a band director at Pewitt CISD in 1960. He began a16 year tenure as the band director at Daingerfield High School in 1964. While in Daingerfield, his bands won numerous first divisions and UIL Sweepstakes awards.

HUGHES SPRINGS -- Services for Doris Adams, 86, of Hughes Springs were held Jan. 1 at Reeder-Davis Chapel. Burial followed at Concord Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. Mrs. Adams was born Nov. 19, 1931 and died Dec. 30, 2017. An online guestbook may be signed at www.reederdavis.com.

Daingerfield -- Services for Donna Marie Phillips, 59 of Daingerfield were held Jan. 9, at First Baptist Church in Cason with Bro. Scott Darby officiating. Burial followed in the Blevins Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Nail-Haggard Funeral Home. Donna was born on June 12, 1958 in Tyler to Billy Dalvin and Billie Louise Thornton. She died on Saturday, Jan. 6. She was preceded in death by her parents and adopted mother Dorthy Malone. Donna was a homemaker and member of First Baptist Church in Cason. She is survived by her husband Danny Phillips of Daingerfield; sons and daughter-in-law Clayton Thornton-Phillips of Daingerfield, Bobby and Misti Phillips of Naples; sisters Opal Thull of Wichita, Kan. and Betty Thornton of Wichita, Kan.; grandsons Jonathan Thornton and Tryston Phillips; and several nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be made at Nail-HaggardFH.com

PITTSBURG -- Joseph Fred “Joe” Esala, of Pittsburg, passed away Saturday morning, Jan. 6 in Pittsburg at the age of 70. Joe was born March 25, 1947 in Cloquet, Minnesota to Fred and Stella Esala. Joe was a veteran of the the United States Navy, having served during the Vietnam War. After his military service Joe began working in the steel industry. He would go on to enjoy a 30 year career with Lone Star Steel. Joe is survived by his loving wife Virginia Joann Esala; his son: Gerold Esala of Wisconsin; three step-daughters: Cheryl Lynn Wilson of Mena, Ark, Tracy Ann Coplin of Forney, and Dawn Holmes of Plano; as well as five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his very close friends: AJ “Jack” Lewis, Linda Lewis, and Ricky Duke. He was preceded in death by his parents: Fred and Stella Esala. Funeral services were held Jan. 10, at Erman Smith Funeral Home in Pittsburg with Bro. Mike Kessler officiating, with a cremation to follow.