Memorials
Submit a memorial at texasbar.com/memorials or call (512) 427-1830. For information on closing a deceased attorney’s practice, go to www.texasbarcle.com/materials/closingapractice.html.
Kerith R. Sproul-Hurley
Sproul-Hurley, 45, of Fort
Davis, died August 2, 2020. She received her law degree from Texas Tech
University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2001.
Sproul-Hurley was an attorney focusing on estate planning, probate, and
trust matters with ScottHulse Law Firm in El Paso from 2001 to 2002,
with Ryan & Sanders from 2002 to 2011, and with Kemp Smith from 2011
to 2020; and was judge of Jeff Davis County from 2018 to 2020. She was a
member of the El Paso Bar Association and a member and past president of
the El Paso Estate Planning Council. Sproul-Hurley served as an officer
and director of the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce and as a Jeff Davis
County commissioner. She was a fifth-generation cattle rancher and
proudly operated the H.E. Sproul Ranch, which was her family homestead
in 1886. Sproul-Hurley expanded activities at the ranch to include
hunting and turned it into a destination events venue. She will be
remembered for her kindness toward everyone she encountered, her
commitment to serving others, and her warm hospitality. Sproul-Hurley is
survived by her husband, Roy Hurley; stepson, Hunter Hurley;
stepdaughters, Kelly Hurley, April Hurley Whitney, and Taylor Hurley;
and two step-grandchildren.
Byrd Warren Goodson Jr.
Goodson, 75, of Beaumont, died August
23, 2020. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. Goodson received
his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the
Texas Bar in 1975. He was in private practice in Houston and Beaumont
and was an assistant district attorney in the Galveston County District
Attorney’s Office from 1990 to 2010, where he served as chief of the
Appellate Section. Goodson excelled at multiple sports such as football,
basketball, and baseball and played football at Texas A&M University
for one season before being injured. He was wounded in combat in Vietnam
and spent a year recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San
Antonio. Goodson was a wonderful father, courageous soldier, and
enthusiastic outdoorsman. He is survived by his life partner, Joann
Walgamuth; daughter, Elizabeth Goodson Beasley; sister, Saundra Goodson
Coffey; and two grandchildren.
Jeffry J. Wiley
Wiley, 76, of Missouri City, died March
7, 2020. He received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and
was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1972. Wiley worked with Adams &
Porter, now Aon, in Houston, retiring as vice president in 1999. He was
an active member of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute. Wiley was
designated a proctor in admiralty by the Maritime Law Association of the
United States in 1979. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially kayak
fishing. Wiley was an avid reader and book club participant. Wiley is
survived by his daughter, Jenny Wiley Legath; and three
grandchildren.
Bennie C. Boles
Boles, 84, of Center, died May 1, 2019.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959 and was honorably
discharged as a first lieutenant. Boles received his law degree from the
University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in
1969. He was an attorney with George Cason Law Firm in League City from
1969 to 1972, a solo practitioner in Center from 1972 to 1975, an
attorney with Boles-Polly Law Firm in Center from 1975 to 1980, city
attorney for Center for four years, judge of the 123rd Judicial District
Court in Shelby and Panola counties from 1980 to 1995, and a visiting
district court judge from 1995 to 2006. Boles was president of the
Shelby County Bar Association, a member of the State Bar of Texas
District Grievance Committee, and a 50-year member of the Texas Bar. He
was known for his leadership. Boles taught about and led others to Jesus
Christ. He was an outstanding athlete and enjoyed fishing. Boles is
survived by his wife of 63 years, Leslie Anita Hill Boles, and daughter,
Deborah Ann Boles.
Robert G. Levy II
Levy, 82, of Fayetteville, died March
23, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1963. Levy was a trial
specialist for the National Labor Relations Board in Houston for more
than 30 years, retiring in 2003. He collected, bought, sold, and
repaired antique clocks and watches. Levy is survived by his wife of 57
years, Shelby Craig Levy; sons, R. Jason Levy, M. Craig Levy, and Kyle
C. Levy; and six grandchildren.
Christopher M. Weil
Weil, 83, of Dallas, died August 7,
2020. He served in the U.S. Air Force National Guard. Weil received his
law degree from Washington University School of Law and was admitted to
the Texas Bar in 1961. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1961. Weil
was owner of Weil & Craig from 1972 to 1974, of Weil, Craig &
Fischman from 1974 to 1981, of Weil, Brutsche & Clements in 1982, of
the Law Offices of Christopher M. Weil, P.C., from 1982 to 1987, of Weil
Renneker from 1987 to 1989, of Weil & Petrocchi from 1989 to 2015,
and of Weil & Associates from 2015 to 2020. He was a member of the
Dallas Committee for a Qualified Judiciary. Weil was a “lawyer’s
lawyer”—other attorneys and jurists regularly sought out his
representation and advice for their personal matters and complex,
seemingly insurmountable legal challenges. He had an abiding dedication
and respect for the law and was an inspiration, mentor, and friend to
many. Weil’s courtroom skills and passionate representation were
renowned, respected, and will be profoundly missed. He was an avid
sailor and helped to found the Rush Creek Yacht Club. Weil was an
antique enthusiast and collector. He is survived by his sons, Jon C.
Weil, Timothy M. Weil, and Andrew J. Weil; daughters, Jennifer P. Weil
and Anne G. Levine; brothers, Thomas M. Weil and Peter M. Weil; and 10
grandchildren.
Don Richard Lane
Lane, 89, of Pampa, died August 5, 2020. He
served in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps and U.S. Air
Force Reserve from 1954 to 1956. Lane received his law degree from the
University of Oklahoma College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar
in 1960. He was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 1954. Lane was a law
clerk to Judge Alfred P. Murrah, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
10th Circuit, from 1956 to 1960; in private practice focusing on wills,
trusts, and probate law in Pampa from 1960 to 2014; and served as Pampa
city attorney for 30 years. He was a Texas Bar Foundation life fellow.
Lane served as president of the Clarendon College Pampa Center
Foundation from 1994 to 2018. He strongly believed in giving to the
community and served in many capacities, including as a Sunday school
teacher for more than 50 years, Pampa Chamber of Commerce president,
Coronado Healthcare Center board president, and Kiwanis Club president.
Lane loved spending time with his family and traveling with them. He is
survived by his wife of 63 years, Susanne Lane; son, Richard T. Lane;
daughter, attorney Susan E. Lane; five grandchildren; and four
great-grandchildren.
Joaquin Villarreal III
Villarreal, 75, of Robstown, died
May 27, 2020. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, including
service in Vietnam, being honorably discharged in June 1967. Villarreal
received his law degree from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. He was in
private practice in Robstown from 1974 to 1975, an assistant district
attorney in the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office from 1975 to
1976, in general law practice from 1976 to 1981, judge of Nueces County
Court at Law from 1981 to 1985, judge of the 347th District Court in
Nueces County from 1985 to 2000, and senior state judge from 2001 to
2015. Villarreal served on the Corpus Christi Bar Association Board of
Directors and was a member of the Nueces County Bar Association and
County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas. He served as a
Nueces County commissioner from 1976 to 1981. Villarreal was a past
president and past vice president of the Robstown Kiwanis Club, a past
president of the Corpus Christi Bay Kiwanis Club, and a member of the
Texas Coastal Bend Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors,
Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Texas Association of
Counties. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Yolanda
Villarreal.
Sam D. Sparks
Sparks, 75, of San Angelo, died August
31, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1970. Sparks practiced
personal injury law in Jasper from 1970 to 1972 and was a partner in
Webb, Stokes & Sparks from 1972 to 2020. He was a member of the
American Bar Association, American Board of Trial Advocates, and the
Texas Trial Lawyers Association, serving as a director for many years.
Sparks was among the first attorneys certified in personal injury trial
law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He served on the San
Angelo Independent School District Board of Trustees. Sparks was
selected as a Sul Ross State University Distinguished Alumnus in 2006,
and in 2011, he was inducted into the Sul Ross State University
Athletics Hall of Honor. He played football at Sul Ross State University
from 1964 to 1966, including being a member of the All Sports Bowl Team
in 1964 and the Lone Star Conference championship football team in 1965.
Sparks is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kim Swain Sparks; son,
Kenneth Ross; daughter, Shai; sister, Debra McBeath; and six
grandchildren.
Linda Cheryl Cansler
Cansler, 74, of Beaumont, died August
18, 2019. She received her law degree from the University of Texas
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1984. Cansler was a
solo practitioner in Beaumont from 1984 to 2019. She enjoyed reading,
knitting, and researching genealogy. Cansler is survived by her sons,
Samy Kamel Soliman, Harry Kamel Soliman, and Henry McArthur Soliman;
brothers, Jack Weldon Cansler Jr. and Charles Thomas Cansler; and five
grandchildren.
Edward Reaugh Smith
Smith, 87, of Lubbock, died August 12,
2020. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1957. Smith was a
certified public accountant, and he had a law practice in federal
taxation and estate planning with his partner, Norton Baker. He served
as organizing counsel and director of Briercroft Savings and Loan
Association. Smith was a member and chairman of the Lubbock Planning and
Zoning Commission, budget chairman of the United Way, served on the
Lubbock Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors; was a member and chairman
of both the Texas Tech Foundation and the Texas Tech Medical School
Foundation, and was a member of the Chancellor’s Council and the Red
Raider Club of Texas Tech. He ran the Boston Marathon, played a piano
concerto with orchestra to dedicate a concert grand piano he and his
wife gave to Texas Tech, and taught an adult class at First United
Methodist Church for 25 years. Smith is survived by his wife of 70
years, Jo Anne; sons, Mark Edward Smith and Michael Reaugh Smith;
daughter, Jillian Smith Rauh; 10 grandchildren; and 15
great-grandchildren.TBJ
