DAWN LAVON LOPER RICE WILLIAMS, 79, passed away
Jan. 8, 2021 when Angels came to lead her to our
Lord. Following a fierce battle with a short,
aggressive and merciless illness, Dawn could no
longer continue her fight. She surrendered as
she slept peacefully in her home, cared for
gently and lovingly by family and friends.
Dawn was born in Eastland County on April 21,
1941 to parents, Marion Riley Loper & Lillian
Ada (Franklin) Loper, both deceased. She was
the ninth born of their ten children. She
attended Ranger High School in the Class of
1959 at Ranger, TX.
Dawn was preceded in death by her beloved husband
of twenty-five years, Toby R. Williams. Toby and
Dawn married in Albuquerque, NM. The two met while
working at the same national Tel Com Corporation,
where Dawn retired after thirty years of continuous
employment. Together they enjoyed long drives in
an attempt to travel as many roads in New Mexico
as possible, the exploration of ancient Native
American Ruins, attending Art Shows, and the
challenge of the board game “Scrabble”. She was
an avid reader and a devoted fan of Sean Hannity
and Bill O’Reilly of Fox News. Politics was a
favorite topic and Dawn was always well-prepared
for a heated debate regarding her political views.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband,
& by her third grandson, infant Jack Martin Morris
of Wilson, TX.
Dawn is survived by her four children and two grand-
sons: Sheila L. Rice of Corpus Christi and her son
Cameron D. Rice of Strawn TX, Ron D. Rice and wife
Teresa of Albuquerque NM, Gayle Bailey-Morris and
husband Nathan of Wilson TX, Lisa Rice-Williams &
husband Rod and their son Jake of Henderson NV.
Dawn had 5 brothers, M.R. Loper of Kermit, Alfred
Gene Loper of Big Spring (Morton Valley High School
graduate), Wayne Edward Loper (RHS-1950) of Midland
and William Merdia Loper, & Buddy Loper (RHS-1944);
five sisters, Wynema Loper Rogers of Grand Prairie,
TX, Thelma Alene Loper Bailey of Lubbock, Imogene
Loper Harper (RHS-1954) of Austin, Gay Nell Loper
Tull (RHS-1956) of Wichita Falls, and Yvette June
Loper Overstreet (RHS-1962) of Roswell, NM.
HUSBAND: TODY WILLIAMS, a lifelong resident of
Albuquerque, NM & a current resident of Eastland,
TX, passed away on July 15, 2017, after a short
illness.
Toby enjoyed wood sculpting and won first, second
and third place for his skills in the Eastland Art
Community in 2011. As well, he enjoyed furniture
refinishing and nature photography.
Toby was preceded in death by his parents, Francis
A. and Marie E. Williams & sister, Rebecca (Becky).
Toby is survived by his wife, Dawn Loper (RHS-1959)
and her daughter, Sheila and her son, Cameron Ric
of Eastland, TX.; Dawn's daughter, Lisa and husband
Rod Williams and their son, Jake of Las Vegas, NV.
Toby is also survived by his daughter, Mindy Williams
of St. Louis, MO; brothers, David, Terry, Steve and
Kevin; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family
members and friends who loved and will miss him.