Bonham, Texas -- Funeral services for Welton Hopson, 88, of Bonham, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2011 at the First Baptist Church under the direction of Wise Funeral Home.  Rev. Morgan Malone and Rev. W. C. “Bill” Beasley will officiate.  Burial with military honors will follow at 3:30 p.m. Monday in the Oaklawn Memorial Park, 3100 FM 317, Athens, Texas.  Welton passed away Friday morning, July 22, 2011 at Mullican Care Center in Savoy. 

Welton was born January 13, 1923 in Black Jack, Henderson Co., Texas, the son of William Lee Hopson and Nannie Rounsavall Hopson.  He was a graduate of Athens High School and received a Bachelors of Business Administration from East Texas State University in Commerce.  Welton was a US Army Air Force veteran of WWII serving in England, France, Germany and Belgium.  On May 13, 1947 in Athens, Texas, he married Iva Josephine “Jo” Dingler who preceded him in death, Dec. 7, 2002.  A longtime member and deacon of the First Baptist Church in Bonham, he was a faithful servant. 

Retiring in 1985 as chief clerk at the Savoy Plant, he worked for TU Electric for 32 years.  Welton loved dominoes, fishing, hunting, music and watching sporting activities. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Travis Hopson and Deen Hopson and four sisters, Ella Jo Sessions, Oleta Curry, Johnnie Faye Sparks Sims and Ela Vern Faver. 

Welton is survived by

Daughter, Martha Nan Ross of Carrollton

Son, Dr. Jerry J. Hopson and wife, Deborah, of Bonham

Grandchildren, Kathryn Dianne Ross and Morgan Elizabeth Hopson

A number of nieces and nephews 

Pallbearers will be nephews, Glynn Hopson, Ronnie Sessions, Randy Sessions, Bobby Joe Curry, Earl Curry, Royce Curry, Johnny Mac Sparks, Danny Sparks, Tommy Faver, Matt Hopson, and friend, Larry Whitehead. 

Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of First Baptist Church. 

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 710 N. Center St., Bonham, TX 75418 or the American Cancer Society. 

The family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday night. 

Online guest register www.wisefuneralhome.com