Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Obits Jan 21

Calvin R. Alexander, 84

Calvin R. Alexander, 84, of Portales died Monday, Jan. 19, 2004, at Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales.

He was born on April 4, 1919, in Honey Grove, Texas, to Ida May and Fletcher Alexander.

He was in the U.S. Army during World War II serving as a guard for President Franklin D. Roosevelt at his residence. He married Mickey Yohnell on Sept. 18, 1943, in Millbrook, N.Y. They moved to Portales around 1950. After the death of his first wife, he married Shirley “Corky” Kalin on Sept. 13, 2002, in Melrose.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Royce Alexander; a sister, Dorothy Johnston; a grandson, Ray Cunningham; a son, Ernie Alexander; and by his first wife, Mickey Alexander.

Survivors include his wife, Corky Kalin Alexander of Portales; a son, Tim Alexander of Scottsdale, Ariz .; a stepson, Tim Kalin of Clovis; three daughters, Betty Jo Dever (and husband, Jerome) of Portales, Pam Gaines (Kenny) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Beverly Walker (John) of Ruidoso; a stepdaughter, Mary Kay Kalin of Portales; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Dean Alexander of Spokane, Wash .; two sisters, Lorene Fullbright of Comanche, Texas, and Marcella Magness of Elmer, Okla .; and a very special brother-in-law, Jay Johnston of Elmer.

Scott P. Reeves will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Danny and Daniel Cunningham, Mikey Mason, Justin Jennings, Tim Kalin, Todd Sharrock and Kenny Gaines.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Services are at 2 p.m. Thursday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.

William A. Hill, 68

William A. Hill, 68, of Clovis died Monday, Jan. 19, 2004, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.

He was born on Oct. 2, 1935, in Kerens, Texas, to Alvis Overton and Annie Lenora Vest Hill.

He graduated from Portales High School in 1955, then went to work for the telephone company, retiring in 1995 after 38 years. He married Merlene Guilliams on June 12, 1960, in Fort Sumner. Family members said he enjoyed traveling with friends who called themselves “the evil eight” and “the motley crew.” He was a member of Kingswood United Methodist Church and a past member of the Lions Club, Rotary International, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, Eagles and the Telephone Pioneers. He square danced with the Melrose Whirlwinds, Y Squares and Circle 8 square dance clubs in Clovis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Alvis Hill Jr .; and a sister, Glenda Hardegree.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Martha Morris (and husband, Stanley) of Clovis; a son, Danny Hill (Theresa) of Spring, Texas; three brothers, Randle Hill and Gerald Hill, both of Portales and Bobby Hill of Odessa, Texas; three sisters, Barbara Deckard of Blue Ridge, Texas, Connie Deckard of Petersburg, Texas, and Peggy Preideri of Shelby, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Brad Reeves will officiate the services.

Cremation will take place.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Stroke Association, 9707 E. Easter Lane, Englewood, CO 80112 or http://www.stroke.org.

Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.

Services are at 10 a.m. Thursday at Kingswood United Methodist Church in Clovis.