Memorial services for Herschell Nixon, 61, of Portales, will be at 10:00 AM, Sat., Sept. 16, 2017 in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Rick Wilcher officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Arington, Elvis Hudson, Andy Parks, Archie Romero, Jerrell Puryear, Billy Neece, James Hinton, Leo Sierra, Garcy Harper and Scott Washburn.
Herschell Cleveland Nixon was born March 17, 1956 in Portales, to the home of Ola Mae (Laxson) and Alford Nixon and died in Dallas, TX on Sept. 7, 2017. Herschell grew up in Floyd, attending the Floyd Methodist Church with his family. He graduated from Floyd High School in 1974, and took second in the state that year in the high jump. Herschell was voted “Most Handsome” in his class. After graduation he worked driving water trucks in the oil fields around Monahans, TX for a short time before coming back home to begin a life in the construction trades. He first worked for Jerry Johnson. On Oct. 7, 1980, he was married to Vonetta Shirley, and about that same time he opened a cabinet shop on his own. A little later on, he and his brother, Harold formed a partnership as Nixon Construction. In the late 1980’s he established Nixon Truss Co. In later years he operated as HN Construction and drove trucks. In 2011 he turned things over to his son, Bruce, and he settled in doing small engine and lawn mower repair.
Herschell loved hunting of all kinds. He took up bow hunting and archery for several years and won numerous prizes in competitions over the southwest. He loved spending time with his family and going to the lake fishing. Herschell became quite accomplished as a blacksmith, and enjoyed making knives. He was a friendly, outgoing man that always had a smile.
He is survived by his wife, Vonetta of their home; four sons and daughters-in-law, Bryan and Krystal Nixon of Portales, Bobby and Annie Nixon of Rockport, TX, Bruce and Tabitha Nixon of Portales and Keith and Teresa Nixon of Floyd; a daughter-in-law, Cara (Mrs. Kris) Wilson of Ovid, CO; 26 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and another expected in a few months; a brother and sister-in-law, Harold (Georgene) Nixon of Floyd; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Barbara (Ronnie) Shirley of Portales and Janice (Alfred) Smith of Floyd. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Kris Wilson, who died Sept. 7, 2016.
My condolences to the Nixon family. He graduated 3 years before I did and even though he was older, he was always fun to be around. Herschell was truly a nice person who always had a smile on his face an good things to say. I will miss visiting with him.