Obituary of W. T. Tivis

Watch the Tribute W. T. Tivis December 20, 1931 - December 29, 2010 Funeral services for W. T. Tivis Jr, 79, of Eunice, NM will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 10:00 am at Eunice First Baptist Church with Bro. Bobby Fuller and Bro Bill Bennett officiating. Burial will follow at Brunson Cemetery in Eunice. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Mr. Tivis, a local rancher, was born on December 20, 1931 to Willie Thomas and Nothera Lyndell (Howle) Tivis in Baileyboro, Texas and passed away at his ranch near Caprock, NM on Wednesday, December 29, 2010. W. T. grew up on a farm near Pep, NM and attended Dora High School graduating in 1949. He was drafted into the US Army and served as a radar technician during the Korean Conflict. He married Wilberta VanNoy of Oil Center, NM on October 9, 1954 and was employed by El Paso Natural Gas Co. for over thirty years until his retirement in 1986. He then purchased the Caprock Ranch which has kept him busy ever since. He was a gentle man with a strong work ethic and enormous integrity. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed telling jokes and funny stories. He loved the outdoors, enjoying hunting and fishing and was always delighted to see deer out on the ranch. He was an avid reader and liked to work Sudoku and crossword puzzles. He was the family Skipbo champion. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister: Mildred Marie Hill. He is survived by his wife, Wilberta Tivis of the home; three daughters: Pauline Brent of Georgetown, TX, Kathleen and husband John Lovett of Edgewood, NM, and Teresa and husband Bill Nunnally of Hobbs, NM. One brother, Delbert and wife Pearl Tivis of Clovis, NM; one sister: Buna and husband Bob Cathey of Dora, NM, 6 grandchildren: Mandelin & husband Ronnie Cooper of Wichita, KS, Melinda & husband Eric Butschek of Oak Hurst, TX; Miranda & husband Dumile Jijana of Albuquerque, NM; Robert Fredrickson of Dallas, TX; Tyler & Michaela Nunnally of Hobbs, NM; 3 inherited granddaughters: Krista Manning ,Kimber & Katie Lovett of Midland, TX. 3 great-grandchildren: Julia Kathleen Cooper, Sage & Khaya Jijana and 3 inherited great-grandaughters: Amayah, Kristiana and Alexis and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Visitation will be Monday, January 3, 2011 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Eunice. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Children’s Playground Fund, PO Box 1449, Eunice, NM 88231 or to Eunice Public Library, PO Box 1629, Eunice, NM 88231.