William “Melvin” Manning

William “Melvin” Manning, 86, of Silo, Okla., passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Oct. 28, 2021 in Silo.

Melvin was born in Dallas, Texas to Elsie Glover-Manning and Gilbert Warren Manning on Nov/ 10, 1934. He went to school at Texas Tech in Dallas. He married Bessie Holt-Manning on June 30, 1967, in Ardmore, Okla.

He started working as a brick mason apprentice at the age of 17 and continued to lay brick for 64 years.  He rode bulls, jockeyed and broke racehorses as a second job as well. He continued to train horses for 39 years up until 2008. Rodeo was his main event; he lived to be on the back of a bull.

Melvin is preceded in death by mother, father, and his three brothers: Thomas, Larry, and G.W. Manning.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 54 years Bessie Manning of Silo, Okla.: daughter, Cathy Meadows of Florence, Miss., daughter Kimberly and husband Stephen Manners of Silo, Okla., daughter Karie and husband Daniel Talkington of Silo, Okla.: grandchildren: Hailey Manners, Hanna Manners and Zoey Hill of Silo, Okla., Jaxon Talkington, Jaycee Talkington, and Jessa Talkington of Greenville, Okla., Jennifer Bucci of Florida, Casey Gange of Florence, Miss., and Clay Meadows of Florence, Miss., and numerous other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Silo Cemetery. Burial will follow at Silo Cemetery.

Arrangements are by American Funeral Services of Denison, Texas.