William Troy Waddle

William Troy Waddle (also called T-Roy while growing up), lifelong resident of Thornton, passed away at home on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at age 52.

Graveside services in the Thornton City Cemetery are planned and will be announced at a later date on this obituary website. Pastor John Zamudio of the First Methodist Church of Groesbeck and Thornton will assist the family with services.

Pallbearers will be Heath Mitchell, Clint Mayhugh, Russell Allen, Jud Hughes, Mark Rawls, Devin Wilson, Tristan Richardson, Heath Goodman, and Clayton Carlton. Haylie Mitchell and “Boogie” Mitchell will be Honorary Pallbearers.

Troy was born April 16, 1974, to Lloyd and Debra Nabor. He graduated from Groesbeck High School in the Class of 1992.

After graduation, he joined the U. S. Army, where he served in Virginia and Honduras, and then was an MP at Guatanamo Bay in Cuba before his honorable discharge at the end of three years.

Troy became a father on November 16, 2000, when Madison was born, and this was the greatest joy of his life. Then on June 25, 2003, Memphis was born, bringing even more joy to him.

Troy married the love of his life, Maryann in May 2008, and became a stepfather to Bradley. In 2009, his “baby boy”, Zackery was born, filling his heart with even more joy.

Troy worked as a welder most of his life, working for himself and all the mines in the area; he was well-known for his skills. His spare time was devoted to volunteering with his kids’ sports from softball to basketball and pee-wee football, starting with coaching his stepson Bradley’s team, and ending when Zackery starting middle school (10 years from 2009 – 2019.)

He filled his time with family vacation trips to the beach, hunting, and just riding his buggy around. Troy never met a stranger. All his life, he was a social bug with great humor. From his youth throughout his adult life, he had an “attraction” personality, where he would bring home friends, strays and random people, which resulted in many friends.

Troy bravely faced his diagnosis of cancer, with humor that amazed the medical staff (his invite to “BYOC-bring your own chemo”). His desire was to make sure everyone knew they were loved, telling them up to the end, and still cracking jokes. He had the best attitude anyone could have. He was very secure in his faith and trusted the Lord with no hesitation.

Troy was preceded in death by his dad, Lloyd Nabors; stepdad, Preston “Butch” Waddle; infant sister, Ashley Waddle; grandparents: Reg and Aleen Williams, John Nabors and Mary Carlock, grandmother, Betty Jo Chatham; great grandparents, Alvie and Gladys Baker; cousin, Aaron Neason and wife, Leslie Neason; cousin, Heston Mitchell; and other extended family.

He is survived by his wife, Maryann Waddle; his children: Dani Hunt, Madison Waddle, Memphis Waddle, Zackery Waddle, and stepson, Bradley Mushinski; his parents, Randolph “Randy” Franklin and Debra Franklin; sister, Traci Waddle and Matt Beal; and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and other extended family.

The family has heart-felt gratitude to the many friends who were a support during Troy’s illness, with visits, texts, and other ways to keep in touch, especially Carrie Neason Dempsey, Martha Johnson, Russell Allen, Mark Rawls, Heath Goodman, and Karlee Flowers, along with everyone else who showed love to Troy and the family.