William Larry Nix

William Larry Nix, 85, of Big Spring, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, October 3, 2025. Visitors may come and go on Monday, October 6, 2025 from 9am -9pm at Nalley- Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6pm -8pm.  Funeral services will be held at 10 am Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Chance Nichols and Chase Pinkerton, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.

Larry was born April 26, 1940 in Big Spring, Texas to parents Hoyle Nix and Maude (Davidson) Nix. He graduated from Big Spring High School in 1958. He first married Elizabeth Hampton, who tragically passed in an automobile accident.  He married Bobbie Ruth Henderson on October 19, 1966.

Larry showed an early interest in music and when he was 8 years old, he was asked to sing with his dad, Hoyle Nix and the West Texas Cowboys.  The song he chose was “I Overlooked an Orchid.” Larry said he was a little nervous and started singing the bridge instead of the verse. He said, “it worked out ok.” Hoyle’s bass player left the band in 1957 just as Larry turned 17, Hoyle asked Larry if he could play the bass in the band. He did not say much but he got the job playing the big upright. He said he played lots of 2/4 and 4/4 rhythm patterns and never got his fingers to where he didn’t have to tape them to keep from getting blisters.  Brother Jody said, “Larry’s salvation was when Fender built an electric bass, and they sent one to Bob Will’s band.”  Hoyle and the West Texas Cowboys played a dance with Mr. Wills and Hoyle asked Luke Wills if he would let Larry try out that new electric bass.  If Bob Wills had one in the band, it was ok with Larry.  Uncle Ben Nix had been showing Larry lots of chords on the guitar, and it was easy to convert over to the bass.  Larry worked with Hoyle for 28 years and played on many of the good records in the late 50’s including the 1959 version of “Big Ball’s in Cowtown.”

After the passing of Hoyle in 1985, Jody took over the band. Larry loved playing in the band, but had other obligations and a full-time job, so as Jody and the band branched out, he hired another bass player.  When Larry retired from the Refinery, he joined his brother again. He worked with Jody for 10 years and really enjoyed the travel and playing in places such as Branson, Las Vegas and the once in a lifetime opportunity to play in Washington DC for the Smithsonian Folk Life Music Festival and The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.  The band continued playing all over the state of Texas.

Larry served in the U S Army in the early 60’s. He worked at Cosden Refinery for 38 years. He enjoyed his many years of farming on the Nix family farm. He served several years as a Deacon at East 4^th Street Baptist Church and presently at Christ Fellowship Church.  Larry loved Jesus, his family, his community and was an avid supporter of the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo.

Larry is survived by his children Tommy Scott (Laura), James Nix (Mary) and Brenda Herrin (Scot); his brother Jody Nix, sister Robin Walker; his grandchildren Layne Scott (Kade), Taylor Scott, Jennifer Oxford (Byron), Joe Harris, Jr (Kara), Zach Herrin (Liz), Zane Herrin (Sarah), Haley Gorski (Randy), Josh Ferneu (Sarah), Julie Nix, Ethan Blevins, Anna Cornell and Amanda Moore; great grandchildren Kinlea Scott, Kelsey Scott, Ella Harris, Henley Oxford, Blane Oxford, Trey Gorski, Amelia Hardaway (Boone), Jonah Fernau, Dez Fernau, James Fuller, Lilith Moore and Sam Moore. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 58 years Bobbie Nix, his uncle Ben Nix, sisters Hoylene Nix and Beverly Jones.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.  Online condolences can be left at www.npwelch.com

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of William Larry Nix, please visit our Tribute Store.