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William Locke Obituary
William Wayne "Rusty" Locke November 1, 1919 - October 30, 2010. Survived by his wife, Cora Belle, of 35 years; sons, Wayne Loyd Locke, William Wayne Locke, Jr.,(June); Roy Dale Locke (Ginger); David Jack Graham (Nicholle); daughter, Linda Lou Grant (Mike); 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren. Rusty was the last surviving original member of the Texas Top Hands Western swing band, which was inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1947 the Top Hands co-starred in Echo Ranch, filmed near San Antonio. The movie was the first western to be filmed in natural outdoor settings, using no artificial scenery. In later years, Rusty became a TV technician and owned a TV repair shop in Kirby, Texas until his retirement. Rusty and Cora served faithfully as deacon and deaconess in their church at Kirby. Visitation will be from 5 pm to 8 pm Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be at 10 am Thursday, November 4, 2010 at the funeral home with interment to follow in Salem Sayers Cemetery.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Locke
Bruce Dunbar
October 27, 2021
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times you shared together as you celebrate a life remembered. I was a youngster when this picture was taken, but I remember Rusty & the others. Willie was still just a wanna-be DJ. lol
Rusty receives a CD of Texas Tophands
Cowboy Buddies
November 23, 2010
Feast 2004--Music Tribute to Rusty
Cowboy Buddies
November 22, 2010
There are many things about Rusty that we all remember in a different way. I remember that he was kind and always there for you whenever you needed help. He was always loving and kind to my sons, each of them, and he always considered them his 'Cowboy Buddies'. He was always ready for playing music or telling stories of his travels (and the evils of lye).
Most of all...he loved his CoraBell.
We will miss you dearly Paw Paw.
rocky koltermann
November 20, 2010
Rusty was my step father.....I did not know him long other then being a 6 yr old.... But I have learned that he was a great man.....never showed him how he helped me
Linda Scott
November 7, 2010
We would like to send our condolences to the Locke family. We will truly miss Rusty. We loved to hear him playing his music. We love ya'll very much. Linda, Larry and Roger Scott
Debbie (Dilworth) Yost
November 7, 2010
To Billy and the Locke Family, we send our condolences to all of you. Your Dad was such a talented man. What an honor to have such a long career doing what he loved.
Jay Riley
November 6, 2010
My condolences to the family of Rusty. I met Rusty while playing for Tommy & Goldie Hill in 1952-53. I really enjoyed his Steel Guitar playing. I went to many of their Radio Shows, that's where I first heard Bandara Waltz that Easy wrote.
I wish that I knew them a lot better, but I was busy playing music myself at the time.
Steelin'ly, Jay Riley
November 4, 2010
We will always think of the sunny smile and warm welcome any time we were together. He was a pleasure to know and be around, we will all miss him so. Our condolences to Cora and all of his family. Bodie & Dorothea Beddingfield
November 3, 2010
To all the Rusty Locke family, our thoughts and prayers are with you..
From The DFW Lockes
Frances Dunbar
November 3, 2010
Our sincerest condolences to the Locke family. Rusty will always be remembered with the fondest of loving memories from the past. Sincerely, Mrs. E.L. “Del” Dunbar (Frances) and son, Bruce E. Dunbar - Boerne, Texas
Donald G. Jr. Locke
November 3, 2010
To my cousins, our deepest condolences from the entire Locke family!
Lou Anne( Brown) Frazier
November 2, 2010
As a child I remember my Dad Larry Brown talking about Rusty and his family. I remember going to Westoff and visiting with Rusty and some of his family. I also remember attending a 50th wedding anniversary. When my Dad passed away in 2009 we found an old picture of Rusty playing with The Texas Top Hands. I remember Dad talking about Rusty and his daughter Linda Lou. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Rusty Locke.
June Dongog
November 2, 2010
Goodbye, Rusty, until we all meet again with the Lord. You will be missed!
Douglas & Julia Dickey
November 2, 2010
To the William Rusty Locke Family,
We will be married 61 years on Saturday and we danced to the Texas Top Hands while dating before we married. We were both facinated with his steel guitar playing. We followed the Top Hands all over San Antonio, Bandera and Schmidts Hall in Fredericksburg. Wherever they played, the crowds were there. We know all of you will miss him. Our sympathy is to all of you.
Douglas and Julia Dickey
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