Allen Laurence

William Allen Laurence, 62 of Whitney died Wednesday, February 15, 2012 in a Fort Worth hospital of lung cancer with everyone that he loved around him.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the Open Range Cowboy Church in Whitney with Mr. Rick Pinner and Pastor Eric Black officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Garden of Memory near Hillsboro. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Allen was born January 5, 1950 in Tucson, Arizona to Allen Leroy and Helen Gordine (Stevens) Laurence. He graduated from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth in 1969. Allen married Belinda Whitlock on September 25, 1970 in Weatherford. He served in the United States Army during Vietnam, receiving a Purple Heart. Upon returning, they moved to Kansas where he raised cattle with his dad. The family moved to Houston where he worked as a truck driver and as an ambulance driver. He worked for five years as an electrician, before becoming a fishing guide on Lake Fort. Allen and Belinda moved to Whitney in 1994. Not only was Allen the most generous person you ever met, he never closed his door on anyone or anything. He loved everyone and made everyone around him want to be a better person. Allen was the biggest care giver anyone could have and was also the life of the party. Allen loved his dogs and western movies. He was also an avid writer. Allen loved spending time with his family and loved watching the Texas Rangers Baseball Team. His favorite things to do were go arrowhead hunting and fishing. One of his lifelong dreams was to be on the stage. He participated, wrote and acted at Lake Whitney Arts (the local community theater). He also loved the fellowship and his church family at the Open Range Cowboy Church.

Allen is survived by his wife, Belinda , daughter, Jennifer Laurence, sons, Wade Laurence and wife, Courtney, Bryan Barnard and wife, Nichole, all of Whitney; adopted daughters, Wendy Lutrell of Weatherford and Carla Hamby Jackson of Fort Worth; sister, Lisa Laurence of Whitney; sister-in-law, Donna Driver, brother-in-law, Billy Driver; niece, Nikki Driver; grandchildren, Zane Laurence and wife Deanna, Jacob Flores, Emma Laurence, Kennedy Laurence, Brysen Davis, Mason Laurence, Teal Lutrell, Rayne Barnard; and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lake Whitney Arts, P. O. Box 1463, Whitney, Texas 76692.