Services for Phillip "Butch" Koonce, 70, of Fruitvale, are scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at New Horizons Assembly of God with Bro. Randy Fisher, Bro. Bimmy Boyles and Bro. Jim Atkins officiating under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home.
Interment will follow in Starr Cemetery.
Mr. Koonce passed away February 5, 2017, in Grand Saline. He was born October 26, 1946, to Phillip Augustus and Verna Ruth Fisher in Front Royal, VA. He spent all of his life in Grand Saline where he was a member of New Horizons Assembly of God, a 32nd Degree Mason and served as a board member of the Grand Saline Rodeo Association in the late 60's. Butch graduated from DPS school in 1968 and then served as a DPS officer in Houston, Weslaco and Rains County. He served as Sheriff of Rains County and spent the last 39 years in the Oil/Gas industry. He was preceded in death by his parents; and in-laws, J.C. & Dude Russell.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Judy Koonce of Fruitvale; two sons, Shane Koonce and wife Jamie of Grand Saline and Shawn Koonce and wife Tammy of Fruitvale; daughter, Michelle Ledoux and husband Kirk of Deer Park; two brothers, Jerry Koonce and wife Barbara of Grand Prairie and Ben Koonce and wife Sue of Grand Saline; eight grandchildren, Hannah & Cody McKibben, Katelyn, Jacie, Madison, McKennan, Mason, Garet and Pepper; one great-grandchild, Augustus McKibben; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers will be Blake Teague, Derek Koonce, Chris Koonce, Clint Sorrell, Preston Moore, Jr., Chad Moore and Cody Koonce.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Woodrum, Jimmy Fisher, Preston Moore, Carroll Russell, Michael Koonce, Danny Koonce, Edward Bailey and Harlon Bailey.
Memorials may be made to Starr Cemetery Association in memory of Butch.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home.