Ardith Norman Herring, Jr.

Ardith Norman “Butchie” Herring, Jr., of Galveston, passed away at Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest Hospital on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at age 63.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, December 22, 2023 at Word of Life Family Worship Center in Groesbeck.

Butchie was born May 16, 1960, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Ardith Herring and Zora J. (Sheffield) Herring (Hulse.) After working off-shore in the oil field, he pursued a career as a carpenter, building beach houses in Galveston.   He was an excellent carpenter and could build anything.

Butchie loved to surf, and he and his cousin Rusty taught two of his grandchildren, Braydin and Raegan to surf, which they also love to this day.  He loved to barbeque for his family and to ride his motorcycle. He enjoyed watching football (and was a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan) and NASCAR on TV, and going to NASCAR races with his brother, Keith.  

Butchie is preceded in death by his father, Ardith Herring and mother, Zora J. Hulse; granddaughter, Ainsley Kate Ellison; sister, Holly Kovich; brother-in-law, Ritchie Lynn Williamson; niece, Kaci Kovich; and cousin, Rusty Herring.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Melissa Herring of Kermit; daughter and son-in-law, Haley and James Ellison of Groesbeck; and son, Joshua Herring of Groesbeck.  His grandchildren who live in Groesbeck are Braydin Ellison, Raegan Ellison, Tanner Ellison, Kaime Ellison, Kyle Ellison (of Seattle, WA), Cameron Ellison and wife Shelby, Layne Herring, Kyndel Herring, Jayde Herring, Nickolas Herring, Khloe Herring (of Crawford, TX), and Max Herring (of Crawford,TX); and two great granddaughters are Blakely Ellison and Haidyn Ellison of Groesbeck.   

He is also survived by his brother, Keith Herring of Prescott, AZ; sister, Joanna King of Thornton; brother-in-law, Mark Kovich, Sr. of Sante Fe, TX; and Linda Kucera of Seabrook, TX; and nieces and nephews: Mark and Stephanie Kovich, Jr., Misty and Doug Shaw, Shane and Julie Herring, and Zachary King.

He is additionally survived by his life-long partner, friend, ex-wife, companion and “safe place,” Kimberly Ann Herring, of Alvin, TX.  No matter how much time had passed he always found his way back to her.  Together they had it all!  Their love was unmatched.  Kimberly and her children, Patricia Groce, Michael Hamilton, and Christopher Hamilton held a special place in Butch’s heart.  He cherished every moment while reminiscing about their time together at their last visit when Haley took him over before taking him home.  No doubt it was a visit to remember.

The family wishes to express a heart-felt thank you to those at Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest in Waco, particularly his ER nurse, Taylor; Dr. Sanja from the 4^th. floor; the Pallative care team, and especially to Jenny on the inpatient hospice care team.