Ernest William Vanbebber, 73, of North Richland Hills, formerly of Denton, passed away peacefully at his home on February 14, 2008, after a long battle with the effects of Diabetes. Ernest was born June 28, 1934 in the Lone Star Community, TX to Clarence and Maggie (Rhyne) Vanbebber. He graduated from Bowie High School in 1951. He was married to Reta Ann Yerby on June 3, 1953 in Bowie. He began working for Lone Star Gas Company in Bowie in 1954 and worked for them for 32 years ending with his last position for the Irving Region. He was then associated with Ebby Halliday Realtors in Denton and retired in 1993. He was elected City Secretary of Bowie. Member of the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department for 15 Years, and served at Chief for 3 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Denton and a Deacon in Bowie and Denton. Director of Denton Little League and Manager of Boys Baseball in Bowie and Denton. Industrial Arts Advisory Committee for UNT, Kiwanis Club, Denton and Irving, serving as Director, Vice President and President, and was named Man of the Year for the Irving Club.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, February 18, 2008 in the First Baptist Church, 1100 Malone St. Denton, with Rev. Cliff Feeler officiating. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie at 3:30 P.M. on Monday. The family will be at the Mulkey-Mason, Jack Schmitz and Son Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust, Denton on Sunday, February 17, 2008 from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. for visitation. Memorials may be made to the Denton Kiwanis Club Children's Clinic, 225 W. Hickory, Ste A, Denton, TX 76201.

Mr. Vanbebber is survived by his wife, Reta Ann Vanbebber of North Richland Hills, a daughter, Sherryl Lynch of Yucaipa, CA and a son, Craig Vanbebber of North Richland Hills, TX, and four Grandchildren: Danielle Ramos, Tyler Lynch , Austin Vanbebber, and Hope Vanbebber.