Loyal Shannon Boyles, Sr., 77, of Del Rio, former longertime resident of Coahoma, died Thursday, December 15, 2005, in a Del Rio hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, December 19, 2005, at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel, Big Spring, with John Snider, minister of Greenwood Church of Christ officiating. Interment will follow at Coahoma Cemetery in Coahoma. Masonic Rites will be conducted by Coahoma Lodge # 992, A.F. & A.M.He was born on April 5, 1928, in Mertzon, Texas. He was the son of Lela Harding and Loyal Shannon Boyles. He married Jewel Ernestine Player on October 11, 1952 in Kilgore, Texas. Shannon had two children, Sherry Lynn, born on February 18, 1954, and Loyal Shannon, Jr., born on November 30, 1958. A genuine and loving husband, father and friend, who unselfishly gave of his time and and worldly possessions to many. Shannon served his country as a Marine during the conflict in Korea. He began his career in oil, working for Sun Oil Company in McAllen, Texas. He later moved to Louisiana, Kentucky and West Virginia to pursue the drilling business. Shannon moved to Coahoma, Texas in 1965 working for Harding Well Service. In 1972, he purchased Darden Well Service and Harding Well Service, which he also operated. The business was sold in 1996 but Shannon remained as a consultant. He retired in 2000. He received his pilot's license in 1980 and bought his airplane which he used to fly from Ruidosa to Del Rio. He was a ranch owner for 18 years. That was a peaceful place for him. He moved to Del Rio, Texas in 2004. He loved to hunt and fish and he enjoyed sharing that time with his family and friends. Amistad Lake was his favorite place to fish. It was as much fun for him to see everyone else catch fish as it was for him. Shannon held his 32nd degree in Masonry and the degree of the Shrine. He has served 48 years as a Master Mason. He held the Masonry in high regard. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He began serving on the Board of Directors for the First Bank of West Texas in 1985 and has remained on the Board until presently. He enjoyed this opportunity and loved everyone who worked at the Bank and served with him on the Board. Shannon (Papaw) loved and gave of himself to his grandchildren, Jarred and Monty Rowden, Shayna and Kassidy Boyles. The lessons of moral value and honor will be instilled in them forever. Shannon is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Ernestine: his children Sherry and Hubert Rowden of Coahoma, Kay and Shannon Boyles of Junction, his grandchildren, Jarred Layne Rowden and Monty Kurt Rowden of Lubbock, Shayna Price Boyles and Kassidy Boyles Eakin of Junction, one sister, Dana Wilkinson of Houston, nieces, Jeanie Coor of Big Spring, Marcia Hamby of Houston, Dana Lea Wilkinson of Houston, nephew, Marc Wilkinson of Big Spring and cousin, Gaylan Harding of Coahoma. His best friend and father, Loyal Shannon Boyles, preceded him in death in 1956, his mother, Lela, in 1981. The family suggest memorials be made to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospitals or the Coahoma Church of Christ. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com.,
