Ranger Exes Memorial - RHS Class of 1959

Dawn Loper 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.