John William Bethel

(November 4, 1943 ~ September 25, 2025)

John, son of  Loney Borden Bethel and Myrtie Lee Howard, married 1st to Beverly Neil Atwood, married 2nd to Nona Lee Edwards, married 3rd to Shirley Elizabeth Norris and burial will be at Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas, USA

Abilene, Texas- John William Bethel, 81, passed away September 25, 2025.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, October 2, 2025, 1 PM at Fountaingate Fellowship in Abilene, Texas.

A service at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery with United States Army Honors being rendered will be held at a later date.

John William Bethel, 81, of Abilene, TX, woke up in the arms of Jesus on September 25th, 2025, surrounded by his family.

John was born on November 4, 1943, to Loney and Myrtie (Howard) Bethel in Winters, TX. He graduated from Jim Ned High School in 1963. After graduation, he served two years in the U.S Army. He later worked for Treanor Equipment for many years. On January 1, 1985, his dream of being a business owner became a reality with the creation of J&N Body Shop, and it continues to serve the Big Country area today.

John loved restoring 1956 Ford pickups and showing them at car shows around the country. He won several awards from the F-150 Car Shows throughout the years. John was very talented and could make his visions come to life. He also served as the Hamby Volunteer Fire Chief for several years. John was a member of the Cross Country Emmaus Community.

John met the love of his life, Shirley Elizabeth (Norris) Bethel, and they wed on November 25th, 1994, in Abilene, Tx. They shared 31 years. They enjoyed traveling and spending time at the lake fishing. John is preceded in death by his father, Loney Borden Bethel, his mother, Myrtie (Howard) Bethel, two brothers, Raymond Lee Bethel and Ronnie Bethel, and his mother-in-law, Dorothy (King) Staley.

John is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Elizabeth (Norris) Bethel, three daughters, Angie Abbott of Abilene, TX, Darla (Ronald) Quinney of Lawn, TX, Jodi (Rusty) Fry of Abilene, TX, three sons, Shawn Bethel of Abilene, TX, Mickey (Maria) Green of Abilene, TX, and Brett Woodall of Roseville, California. He had 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. John (Papa) was loved and will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at FountainGate Fellowship, 909 N. Willis Street, Abilene, TX, on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be at the Texas State Vererans Cemetery at Abilene at a later date with US Army honors.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hendrick Hospice Care inpatient unit for their compassionate care.

Arrangements with Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene, Texas.