William "Dub" Herman Bearden

ALEDO -- William Herman "Dub" Bearden, 85, of Aledo, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, March 31, 2015, in his home. Funeral: 10 a.m. Saturday at The Church at the Crossing (First Baptist Church) in Aledo. Interment will follow in Aledo-Brown Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at White's Funeral Home, 130 Houston Ave., Weatherford. Memorials: May be made to The Church at the Crossing in Aledo, "Dub's Project," 128 Elm St., Aledo, Texas 76008. Dub was born to Claude and Emma Bearden on July 14, 1929, in Ranger. He grew up on a farm outside of Ranger and was a graduate of Morton Valley High School. After high school, Dub went to work as a truck driver in the oil fields of Odessa for JJ Willis Trucking Co. His next opportunity came with Beggs Cattle Company, hauling cattle from West Texas to the old stockyards of Fort Worth. While driving for Beggs he would spend some time at their ranch in Aledo. While in Aledo, Dub's life would change forever. In 1950, Dub met a pretty little redhead named Verna Shaw at a Sunday school event at the First Baptist Church in Aledo. It must have been love at first sight. He married Verna on Jan. 12, 1951, making their home in Aledo and enjoying 53 years together. Shortly after their marriage, Dub was drafted into the Army and spent two years in the Korean War, achieving the rank of sergeant. Upon returning home he completed a diesel mechanics course at Tremble Technical in Fort Worth. He spent nine years as a mechanic at Bennett Brothers Garage. Next he accepted his dream job as a ranch foreman for Mary's Creek Ranch in Aledo. It was there he and Verna raised their three children over the course of the next 30 years. After retiring from the ranch, Dub worked eight more years for Parker County. Dub was a member and a deacon of The Church at the Crossing in Aledo. He was a member of the Aledo Volunteer Fire Department for over 50 years. Dub was a member of the Aledo ISD School Board from 1973-1981. He was a member of Phoenix Masonic Lodge No. 275 for over 50 years. Dub loved his wife, family and community. He was always serving others by fixing cars, fighting fires, working cattle, or just being a good and faithful friend. Dub was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Verna Shaw Bearden; his parents, Claude and Emma Bearden; brother, Jack Bearden; sisters, Alta Mae Bearden, Clairdell Dupree Vermillion, and Bonnie Lois Taylor; and many close friends. Survivors: His daughter, Kathy White of Fort Worth; sons, Randy Bearden and wife, Beverly, of Whitewright, and Rusty Bearden and wife, Lee Ann, of Aledo; grandchildren, Will White and wife, Tara, Ashley Sherfy and husband, Keenan, Aaron Bearden, Brittney Bearden, Bailey Bearden, Blake Bearden and wife, Gracie, Christopher Bearden, Callie Bearden, Jessie Bearden and Drake Bearden; great-grandchildren, Graham White and Ava White; sister, Frankie Parr; and numerous nephews and nieces. White's Funeral Home Weatherford, 817-596-4811