Barbara Bacon

Barbara Ann Horton Bacon, 89, of Killeen, passed away March 3, 2022. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Killeen. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 9, at Killeen Memorial Park with First Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Randy Wallace officiating.

Barbara was born on March 20, 1932, in La Junta, Colorado, to Fain and Lillian Horton. When she was 13 years old, Barbara’s family moved from Colorado to Texas by way of train. The only possessions they took with them were what could be packed in their suitcases. Her grandfather met them in Fort Worth and drove them to Killeen where the family settled.

From 1946-1950, Barbara attended Killeen High School. She was a cheerleader and was crowned Football Queen. She was also voted Band Sweetheart. During high school, she began dating a cowboy named Wayne Harvey Bacon, Jr. After graduation, Barbara attended Tarleton State College in Stephenville. On Christmas Eve of 1950, Barbara married Harvey at the First Baptist Church of Killeen.

Barbara and Harvey had four children, who also attended Killeen High School. Barbara could always be seen in the stands during football games watching her daughters perform at halftime and her son play offense for the Kangaroos. She also supported the FFA, of which her youngest son was a member.

Barbara relished her 10 grandkids, who affectionately called her “Ma”. She kept busy attending their activities. Later, she always looked forward to visits from her great-grandchildren.

She took pleasure in traveling with family members. Memories were made whether the destination was Las Vegas, Nevada; Orlando, Florida; Branson, Missouri; San Francisco, California; Cloudcroft, New Mexico; Fort Worth; or Austin.

For seven decades, Barbara greatly enjoyed time spent with the ladies of Birthday Club. The members of Birthday Club met to celebrate each other’s birthdays and engage in fellowship.

Survivors include her children Connie Gilliam and her husband Steve of Salado, Jan Watts and her husband Charlie of Austin, Wayne Bacon and his wife Kellie of Killeen, and Rocky Bacon of Killeen. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jeremy Watts of Montgomery, Kimberly Partain of Killeen, Zachary Watts of Boerne, Melodie Ramirez of Belton, R.J. Bacon of Killeen, Holly Love of Driftwood, Rory Bacon of Florence, Boone Bacon of Dallas, Dakota Bacon of Sweetwater, Maura Wiginton of Portland, and spouses; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, parents, granddaughter Mandy Gilliam, and brother Pastor Gene Horton and his wife Phynetta.