Bruce Bettinger

Bruce R. Bettinger, 81, of Waco, passed away Saturday morning, September 20, 2003, at his residence following a lengthy illness.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Monday, September 22, 2003, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Waco with Msgr. Mark Deering officiating.

The Rosary will be recited on Sunday, September 20, 2003, at 7 p.m. at the OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel, 4520 Bosque, with family visitation following.

Bruce was born July 15, 2003, in Waco, the son of Walter J. and Hallie (Fields) Ballinger. He was a veteran of WWII, having served in the Army as a Sergeant. He was married in Waco on October 5, 1940, to his wife Thelma. They are long time members of St. Louis Catholic Church. Bruce enjoyed playing golf.

Bruce was retired from Central Freight Lines, where he had been employed for 36 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Walter Bettinger and John Bettinger.

Surviving Bruce are his wife of 63 years, Thelma Christine Bettinger; two sons, Donald Bettinger of Waco and Jerry Bettinger of Tyler; two daughters, Nancy Rice of Hewitt and Patty Guthrie of Robinson; three sisters, Mildred Ackermann of San Antonio, Virginia Davis of Downey, California, and Opal Cunningham of Arlington, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial guestbook available at www.oakcrestwaco.com.