Bartus Lorene Watters McElroy was born on February 23, 1924 in Grosvenor, Texas, to the late Thomas and Minnie Watters. She peacefully passed away on March 3, 2010.

Mrs. McElroy was a homemaker. She grew up in Grosvenor and Coleman, Texas, where she met and married Billie McElroy, on May 11, 1945. Soon after, they made their home in Florida and then moved to Texas where Billie began working for the Texas Department of Public Safety. As a patrol officer, he was stationed in Belton, San Saba, and San Angelo, Texas. In 1958 he became the firearms instructor for the D.P.S. and moved the family to Austin, Texas. After his retirement in 1980, Lorene and Billie continued to live in Cedar Park, Texas. The lifelong partners also owned and operated Cat Claw ranch in San Saba, Texas.

Mrs. McElroy was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Billie R. McElroy.

She is survived by her two daughters, Patricia McElroy and Sandra McElroy of Round Rock, Texas; grandsons, Andrew Joseph Simo of Austin, Texas; Jason Dean Wehring and wife Shannon of Hutto, Texas; granddaughters, Janna Dana Wehring of Austin, Texas; Katrina Micaela Leigh and husband Chance of Round Rock, Texas; nephews, Glen Bohannon and Thomas Wayne Bohannon; and nieces, Carol Lee Ballard and Janice Jones.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bartus Lorene McElroy may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 4201 West Parmer Lane, Austin, Texas 78727-4161.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 5, 2010 at Beck Funeral Home, Cedar Park, Texas. Interment was in the Liberty Hill Cemetery, Liberty Hill, Texas.

Arrangements under the direction of Beck Funeral Home, 1700 E. Whitestone, Cedar Park, Texas 78613 (512) 259-1610.