THE COMMUNITY NEWS
ALEDO
Local family spared in grizzly passover
By Dominic Genetti
The Community News
To hear Don and Paige Wilhelm
tell their story of survival when a
bear attacked their campground near
Yellowstone National Park earlier this
summer, it almost sounds like a mod-
ern day passover.
The couple, who reside in Aledo
with their two sons, were on a family
vacation that was supposed to include
five days of camping Soda Butte
Campground adjacent to the 3,468
square-mile tourist site, but their get-
away turned into a nightmare after just
one comfortable night of snoozing in
the mountain air.
“Had a good night the first night
we were there, had a normal day in
Yellowstone the next day,” Don Wilhelm
said, “but the next night...about 2
o’clock, there was a scream…”
Don didn’t know what to think of
the loud cry at first, but when the hec-
tic sounds of moaning and a woman
shouting, “no”, “stop”, the Wilhelms
knew something was wrong.
“I just grabbed Don’s arm and said,
‘I think it’s a bear,’” Paige Wilhelm
remembers. “We thought maybe it was
teenagers cause we heard them drive
through earlier.”
Now was the time to act. As the
family sat in their tent attempting to
devise a plan of escape, the female griz-
zly bear – accompanied by two of her
cubs – began to prowl other camp sites
and attack more visitors.
“Your first thought as a parent of
course is to protect your children and
we were quietly trying to come up with
a plan of what to do,” Don said.
All of a sudden the echoing sounds
ADVOCATS
from page one
Most financial aid is distributed
through the Children’s Fund, which
covers the medical, living, and other
general needs of the individuals who
apply for assistance.
The Clothes Closet is a fully func-
tional clothing resale shop for the entire
Aledo community. The shop donates
clothing to those who cannot afford
them, and also sells clothes to raise
funds, which are used to help others.
Last school year, the AdvoCats assisted
more than 745 people with free cloth-
ing worth more than $26,000. In order
to help as many as possible, the shop
sets prices substantially lower than
retail prices. Last year the AdvoCats
sold more than $12,000 in merchan-
dise, and all of the profits went directly
to help the children of Aledo. Members
have logged more than 1,600 volun-
teer hours toward the Clothes Closet,
SAVINGS
YOU CAN HANG ONTO!
WILLOW PARK CLEANERS
$1.09
Men’s Laundered
Shirts
Present coupon at time of dropoff
Coupon Expires Sept. 30, 2010
25% OFF
Present coupon at time of dropoff
WILLOW PARK CLEANERS
109 S. Ranch House Rd., Suite 101
(Behind Brookshire’s - Willow Park)
817-441-1930
Mon-Fri 7-7, Sat 8-4
of terror from their nearby camper fell
silent.
“When it got quiet, the lady who
was being attacked was playing dead
and the bear let go of her at that point,”
Don said.
Coincidentally enough, Paige had
done some reading the night before on
what to do if a bear bombarded their
campground.
“We came up with a plan, believe
it or not, that if we saw a bear at our
camp site we were going to go to our
car,” Don said.
It was a mere 10 yards from their
camp site to their truck, but it felt
further than that. There was no park
ranger, no cell phone service, just a
husband and wife with their two kids
against nature.
“We heard the bear at one point,
it was very close,” Don recalled. “It
walked about 15 steps from us.”
Once they were all safe, it was time
which is located at 9901 East
Bankhead Highway, Suite B,
next to the Center of Hope.
Store hours are Tuesday through
Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Donations of new or gently-
used items are always appreci-
ated.
The Angel Tree Project
takes place in December and
allows members to “play” Santa
Claus. The local school coun-
selors evaluate requests from
Aledo families and submit those
approved to receive Christmas
aid. With monies donated for
this specific project, Advocats volun-
teers shop for the families who qualify
for assistance. Last year, more than
315 children experienced the joy of
Christmas that they would not have
had otherwise.
The AdvoCats hold two main fund-
raisers per year. In the spring, the
“Run, Walk, or Crawl for our Kids” is a
5k race that is truly a family and com-
munity event.
All Service done
in-house
All Work Hand
Finished
Drive Thru
Available
We take pride in
our work
WILLOW PARK CLEANERS
Your child can learn to play the guitar
DRY CLEANING
(Minimum 3 pieces)
Coupon Expires Sept. 30, 2010
Cell 817-975-9103
Life&Community
to help their fellow campers. They
blared their car horn to scare off the
animal, drove into Yellowstone to find
a park ranger who eventually evacu-
ated the camp site as other authority
departments arrived. The Wilhelms
couldn’t go back to their camp site for
quite some time to get their belong-
ings, but that didn’t matter.
Two people were injured and a man
from Michigan just a few camp sites
away was killed.
Why was their tent skipped? What
made that traveling grizzly choose
its three victims? These answers and
many more will always remain a mys-
tery, but the Wilhelms know now that
with everything all said and done, luck
was on their side.
“We’re just incredibly thankful,”
Don said. “We dodged a major bullet
as they say.”
In the fall, the Advocats host their
Groovy Golf Tournament, which is
coming up on Sept. 17. This year, a
dinner and silent auction return to
the event. For more information on
the golf tournament, call Tracy Reed
at 817-822-5854, e-mail golfclassic@
aledoadvocats.com or visit www.aledo-
advocats.com. Even non-golfers are
invited.
Donations to Aledo AdvoCats are
tax-deductible.
Andrew W. Jones
Agent*
New York Life Insurance Company
777 Main Street, Suite 3300
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Tel. 817 878 3258 ext. 258 Cel. 817 454 1371
awjones@ft.newyorklife.com
The Company You Keep®
September 3, 2010 3B
Obituaries
John Mark Adcock
John Mark Adcock, 49, died Tuesday, August 24, 2010.
John was born April 11, 1961 in Fort Worth, the son of
Sam and Helen Adcock. The family moved to Weatherford in
1966. John was a graduate of Weatherford High School, where
he played football and was all-district for two years. He later
attended Weatherford College, University of Texas at Austin and
graduated from University of North Texas in Denton.
John was preceded in death by his father.
Survivors include his mother, Helen Adcock; brother, Eric
Adcock and wife, Dawn; nephews, Matt, Josh, and Ben; special
aunt, Merle Burgess; and numerous other loving aunts, uncles
and cousins. Adcock
The memorial service was Saturday, August 28, 2010 at
White’s Chapel of Memories in Weatherford. Services in charge of White’s Funeral
Home.
The Community News
September 3, 2010
Doris Ruth Hess
Doris Ruth Hess, 83, died August 31, 2010 in her home at Millsap. Ruth was
born December 4, 1926 in Millsap to Jack and Nora Langdon
Reasoner.
Mrs. Hess retired from Motorola at Fort Worth in 1991. She
was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters: Juanelle
Shockler, Mary Jo Hightower and Lois Wheeler; son, Ronald
Jones; stepson, Kenny Hess and great granddaughter, Cassie
Maddux.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Dick Hess of Millsap;
daughter, Sandra Maddux and husband, Alton of Millsap; six
grandchildren, three great grandchildren and numerous nieces
Hess
and nephews.
Graveside services were scheduled at Fairview Cemetery in
Millsap onFriday, September 3, 2010, Billy Boone officiating. Serving as Pallbearers
were Larry Dawson, Scott Dawson, Brent Bennett, Don O’Bannon, Steven Maddux
and Justin Maddux.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association -
North Central Texas Chapter 101 Summit Ave., Ste. 300 Fort Worth, TX 76102.
Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
The Community News
September 3, 2010
Jesse Christeen Greenway
Jesse Christeen Greenway died August 29, 2010.
Christeen was proud to be born a Texan and was a long-
time resident of Weatherford. She was born January 26, 1924
in Hamlin, Texas to Jesse Armfield and Gertie Cain Dunn. She
was the second child of four, with one sister and two brothers.
Christeen married Oscar Riley Greenway, Jr. in Anson,
Texas on August 19, 1942.
She enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening and canning her
home grown vegetables and fruits, helping people, and she
had a quick wit.
She is survived by Brenda Stites of Pittsburg, Oklahoma;
Teresa and Mike Wilson of Weatherford; Mark Greenway of Greenway
Millsap; Bessie Greenway of McAlester, Oklahom; eight grand-
children, 12 great-grandchildren, special niece Connie Rucker
and a dear friend Nell McNabb.
Christeen was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Riley Greenway, Jr.; son,
Michael O’Day Greenway; grandsons, Paul Daniels and Michael O’Day Stites; grand-
daughter, Katie Greenway; and sons-in-law J.T. Stites and Ronnie Daniels.
Graveside service was Wednesday September 1, 2010 at Annetta Cemetery.
Services in charge of Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
The Community News
September 3, 2010
James “Sonny” McCray
James “Sonny” McCray, 74, died Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at his residence.
Sonny was born October 13, 1935 in Fort Worth to Hall and Blanche McCray, who
preceded him in death. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, employee
and friend, who loved his kids and grandkids unconditionally. He graduated from
Poly High School in 1953 and attended many reunions, which he loved. He later
retired from Howell Instruments, a company close to his heart, after 47 years of loyal
service. Sonny enjoyed golfing with his kids and friends, traveling, working in the yard
and hanging out with Bear, Sam, and Lady, his dogs. He was a pencil sketch artist
with amazing talent, and his sense of humor is something that will be missed.
He will always be known as “Coach” to many after 15 years in baseball and foot-
ball. He was a gentle man and a friend to all and will surely be missed.
Survivors include his wife, Pat; sons, Steven, Scott and Greg; daughters, Stacey,
Shannon, Kim, and Lisa; sister, Malacha; sixteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family wishes memo-
rials to be sent to Happy Hills Farms, 3846 N. Highway 144 Granbury, Texas 76048.
Arrangements in charge of Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel.
The Community News
September 3, 2010
!"##"$ %& "' !()*+"",
!"##"$-%&-"'-!()*+"",
.*/$"01&2 3"44%'56/ 7*$&
.*/$"01&2-3"44%'56/-7*$&
!"##$% &%'( )%*+"*,
!"##$%-&%'(-)%*+"*,
2344$5"*,
!*,+&B$C*D#+ !"##$%&'$%'(($)*&+(,
6(;ED;F ----.'/"0-.'/"1
.'/"0 .'/"1
!&BB('ED"#
G$H(,DI(;+D"#?$6"'B -./012203145
G$H";EJ 6"7$-./018903428
.592.$!#(:*';($<=>
.592. !#(:*';( <=>
!'(,,&;? @A /9214
!'(,,&;?$@A$/9214
M and M Travel Mary Mike McKenzie • ttrace800@yahoo.com
Cruises • Tours • Honeymoons
• Mexico • Disney • Europe • Alaska • South Pacific • Family Vacations •
817-996-7830
www.gullivers.com
Affiliated with GULLIVER’S TRAVEL/AMERICAN EXPRESS
o m e of iles
B
H l Sm
eau
tifu !"#$%
!"#$!%!&#'()
Fort Worth Willow Park/Aledo
4375 S. Hulen 134 El Chico Trail
(817) 926-9777
Joe H. Crain, D.D.S., M.S.
(817) 441-2122
Orthodontics for Children and Adults
Diplomate American Board of Orthodontics