Bobby Joe Buford

Bobby Joe Buford, 75, a longtime resident of the Abilene area, died Sunday, January 3, 2010, at an Abilene nursing center. Born in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, on September 30, 1934, he was the son of Stella Irene (Scoggins) and Johnie R. Buford. In 1951, he graduated from high school in Tecumseh, OK. He married Delta Lamb on November 1, 1957 in Abilene, where he spent his married life. Mr. Buford was a joist foreman and tool room supervisor for Central Texas Ironworks for 40 years. In high school Bobby was a boxer. He was an avid golfer, even making a hole-in-one after he suffered several strokes. He also loved bowling, fishing, farming and caring for his livestock. Bobby was a member of First Baptist Church in Buffalo Gap, Texas. Mr. Buford was a man of strong values, honesty and hardworking. He valued his friends, and was a loving husband, father and PaPaw. He was preceded in death by one son, Rick Joe Buford, in 2002; his parents; and one brother, William K. Buford. Survivors include his wife, Delta Lamb Buford of Abilene; daughter, Becky Howard of Abilene; sons, Kelly Jay Buford and fiancee, Tammie Pope, of Abilene, and John R. Buford and wife, Wanda, of Kingsville, Missouri; five grandchildren, Bobby Joe (B.J.) Howard and wife, Britni, Stacey Thompson and husband, Jason, Kelly Jake Buford, Johnny Buford, and Betty Ann Buford; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Keith Buford and wife, Kay, of Abilene, and Richard Buford of Dallas; a sister, Elizabeth Ann Spradling of Lubbock; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Rev. Wayne Oglesby officiating. Interment will follow in Buffalo Gap Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Jake Buford, B.J. Howard, Wade Howard, Jason Thompson, Doug Vinson and Mike Surgeon. Memorials may be made to Ben Richey Boys Ranch, P O Box 6839, Abilene, TX 79608, or West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.