Ernie Widener

Ernest (Ernie) Dale Widener, age 80, passed from this earth May 17, 2025. Ernie is survived by his children, Daron and wife Meike of Colorado Springs, Joseph and wife Donna Jean of Idalou, and daughter Elizabeth Hogan of O'Donnell. Additionally, he is survived by 11 grandchildren: Stephanie, Victoria, Robin, Ashley, Zachery, James, Kelsey, Kathryn, Michael, Moses, and Billy; and 12 great grandchildren: Cameron, Bryson, Hunter, Noah, Paisley, Sylas, Kane, Axl, Seva, Franklin, Atlas, and Jasper. He is also survived by his sister Jeanette Young and brother-in-law Owen Young of Levelland and nephews, Scott Young, Johnnie Dale Neilson, Greg Neilson and niece Deborah Young. He is preceded in death by his parents Dale and Ashby Widener; his son Jerohme Dale; and sister Nelda Ann. Ernie Widener was born on December 4, 1944, in Clovis, New Mexico. The family lived in New Mexico, Texas and Missouri, before settling in Lockney, Texas. Ernie started school in Lockney where he eventually graduated from Lockney High School. He attended college at West Texas State College in Canyon. Around this time Ernie shot himself in the leg while practicing his quick draw technique. This earned him his lifelong call sign "Quick Draw." Ernie married Phyllis Roberts in 1965 and farmed with his dad in Lockney where Daron and Joe were born in 1966 and 1968. Ernie moved his family to Las Cruses, New Mexico, where Jerohme was born in 1969. Ernie took a shot at selling cars during this time before returning to Lockney where he worked with his father as a cotton farmer. In 1973, he married Adeena Lawhon, and Elizabeth was born in 1974. Ernie married Cindy Graham in 1995 and helped raise her children Aaron and Heather through their high school years.
Ernie had many varied interests. He loved bird hunting and fishing with his parents and raised his children to be avid fishermen & bird hunters. Ernie was also a very talented RC model airplane builder and pilot. He competed in pylon racing and aerobatic patterns throughout the 1970's. In the mid 1980's Ernie took up golf and even served as the Floydada Country Club President. He wasn't a scratch golfer but close, and he loved the game. In 1996 Ernie won the Floydada Country Club Men's Senior Championship. Ernie always had a hot rod project on the side and taught all his children to be competent mechanics. One of his most prized projects was a 1961 Galaxie Starliner, completed in 2007. Ernie won multiple awards with this car in local car shows.
In 1985, Ernie quit farming and started trucking which he did up until his retirement. During retirement he continued to periodically work as a mechanic until recent months.
Ernie's favorite bible verse - "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalms 23:3
On May 24, 2025, at 11:00am, we will have a small celebration of life for Ernie at the Moore Rose Funeral Home in Lockney, Texas.