William Don Goen was born June 14, 1934, to Frank and Allie Ray Sprinkle Goen in Greenville, Texas. Don passed away Saturday night on August 19, 2023, at Hunt Regional Hospital at the age of 89. He attended Greenville, Texas public schools and graduated from high school after 11 grades. The following year schools changed to 12 grades. He then attended Texas A&M University in Commerce.
In the summer of ’74, Don met Pat Chezem Debord on a blind date. Sixteen years and at least 1600 trips he made to Sulphur Springs later they married on October 8, 1990.
Don’s work career began at Sabine Valley Ice Cream Company. Later he worked at Puddin Hill when it was first established in Greenville and gave Pud Kearns the nickname Little Pud. His final 38 work years were at Raytheon (now L-3) until he retired on March 24, 1993. Additionally, he worked after hours with his dad operating the Club Café and a Pawn Shop, both on Lee Street, and was co-owner with him on rental properties.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, James and Perry, daughter Angie Debord, sister-in-law Geraldine Goen and nephew Trent.
He is survived by his brother Jerry (Sherry), children Mike (Liz), Michelle Youtz (Steve), Lynette Phillips (Patrick), and Clint Debord (Sarah). Also, he is survived by 12 grandchildren John Crew, Cody and Colt (Nathalia) Goen, Ali and Michael Youtz, Zach (Jessie) Youtz and Sydnay Youtz Killian (Mitch), Josh Phillips (Risa), Eli and Jackson Debord, and Justus and Mason Chambers.
There are 11 Great Grandchildren who survive him – Angel and Jade Crew, Poppy Goen, Pike, Luna, and Ridge Youtz, Luca and Nash Killian, and Kaleb, Eli, and Dean Phillips.
He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Liz McKinley and Mary Chezem, and numerous extended family members.
A funeral service will be held at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville, Texas on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be at 9:30 prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Memoryland Memorial Park in Greenville.
Don was a member of Park Street Baptist Church.
A special appreciation to his Hospice team, Hunt Regional Room 476 medical staff, and his friend Dan Oyler who cared for him so lovingly during the past months.
