2024 Distinguished Alumni

Mrs. Ruth Cooper- Class of 1954

Mr. Doug Wheat - Class of 1987

Mr. Ricky Bishop - Class of 1995

Homecoming 2024

September 20th vs. Iraan

Ruth Cooper

Runnels County, and Winters, Texas, are rich with history. Janie Ruth Cooper, through her dedication and great interests rooted in history, research, and collection and dissemination of photos and information, has been instrumental in the preserving of history, creating a future legacy for Winters and Runnels County families for many years to come.

Ruth is a graduate of the Winters High School Class of 1954. After graduation Ruth went to work at Winters State Bank from 1955 to 1957.

Ruth Vogler married the late Doyle Cooper on January 20, 1957. They lived on a farm just outside of Winters and raised four children, Rita, Linda, Mona, and Alan.

Ruth stayed home and took care of the family and helped on the farm until 1977, when she begin work at Robinson Chevrolet until it sold in 1983. It became Charles Bahlman Chevrolet. Ruth went to work for Bahlman Chevrolet and worked there until 1987. Ruth worked for Jim Hatler Insurance from 1987 to 1990 then returned to Bahlman Chevrolet where she would retire in 2007.

Retirement really wasn’t retirement for Ruth, this is when she used her free time to now focus on helping in other ways.

As Ruth has gathered information for many years across the county, she has gained great knowledge and met many new friends and brought great attention to Winters.  

Ruth has written and assisted with eleven books on the history of Runnels County. Runnels County, A Look Back. Volume I. The Organization of Runnels County which she compiled, Volume II. Schools In Runnels County. Volume III. Historical Markers and Post Offices of Runnels County. Volume IV. Stories from Runnels County. Volume V. Churches of Runnels County, Past and Present that was dedicated to her, Volume VI. Military History and Veterans of Runnels County (5 books).

Ruth is a very active member of the community, including being Chairwoman of the Runnels County Historical Commission, (now retired from that position) where the Commission was the inaugural recipient of the West Texas Historical Association’s R. C. Crane Heritage Service Award for outstanding work in the preservation of cultural heritage, and contributed to historical markers located in Runnels County. Ruth and the historical commission were instrumental in obtaining historical markers for the Chick Inn, The City of Winters and for the First Baptist Church here in Winters and numerous other markers in Runnels County.

Ruth has also served as President of the Edwards Plateau Historical Association, (now retired) and officer of the Research and Publishing Committees for The Historian, wrote a weekly series of county history articles for the Winters Enterprise and the Ballinger Ledger, named 2012 Woman of the Year by the Winters Chamber of Commerce, and has been involved in other associations and organizations throughout the community. Ruth has served as the historian for the First Baptist Church for many years where she is a member. For a brief time, Ruth was the treasurer with Winters Ministerial Alliance and Samaritan's House of Winters.  

Ruth has made, and continues to make significant contributions, through her dedication, and hard work, to our community members and Runnels County, creating a legacy of history and remembrance for many years to come.

Doug Wheat

Doug Wheat was born in Abilene and raised in Winters by Gene and Jeanie Wheat, lifelong Runnels County residents. He graduated from Winters High School in 1987 and continued his education at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, earning a BBA degree in Finance in 1991.

After graduation, he returned to his roots here in Winters to accompany his father, Gene, in operating Bob Loyd LP Gas Company, presently known as Wheat Energy Services, Inc. For over 70 years, Wheat Energy has provided fuel and propane services to a vast area of West Central Texas, currently having offices in Winters, Abilene, and Robert Lee. In 2000, Doug moved into the General Manager role and has directed daily operations since that time.

In June 1999, Doug married his wife Amy Tuggle Wheat. Together, they have 4 children: Erica, Josh, Zach, and Avery, all Blizzard graduates. He also enjoys being “Pa” to two granddaughters, Evyn and Ellie.

In 2013, Doug and Amy began the fulfillment of a dream for the TX-153/US 83 intersection at the south end of Winters, with the beginning of work on The Crossing Travel Market. Their goal was to draw people and commerce to Winters and make a positive impact on residents and travelers alike. After much prayer and planning on the project, construction began in 2016, and then they and their family opened The Crossing on March 9th, 2017, recently celebrating its 7th anniversary. As a part of the Grand Opening, The Crossing hosted country music entertainer Aaron Watson for a concert in the field behind the store in April of 2017, where an estimated 3000 people attended. Doug and his family are also part of a local group of investors who have developed the Cobblestone Inn & Suites at the intersection.

Doug is a man of faith and serves the Lord. He serves as a deacon at First Baptist Winters where he and Amy have been members for over 25 years. He enjoys being a member of the FBC Worship team as keyboard player and vocalist, and he serves on church committees.

Doug is greatly involved in the Winters community and takes pride in being a lifelong Winters Blizzard. He served on the Winters ISD School Board from 2005-2013, during which the Special Events Center was constructed and the district reached “Recognized” status from TEA. He has also served on the North Runnels Hospital Board, the Winters Housing Finance Board, and he is again serving on the WISD School Board. Over the years, Doug has coached youth sports in the community, including basketball, baseball, and softball. In addition, he enjoyed broadcasting Friday Night Blizzard Football on internet radio for several years.

In his free time, Doug enjoys playing golf & tennis, keeping up with Baylor sports, traveling, and spending time with his family. Doug is honored and humbled to be selected as a WHS Distinguished Alum and is grateful to God for His Grace and for all of the many people He has placed in his life to help along the way

Ricky Bishop

Our 2024 Distinguished Alumni is “committed to serve and to protect each individual in Taylor County, while taking pride in who we are, and being professional in what we do.” 1995 Winters High School graduate Ricky Bishop has been sheriff of Taylor County for the past 11 years and employed with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office since December 1999. Bishop is also chief of the View Volunteer Fire Department.

Sheriff Bishop holds current certifications as an Instructor, Master Peace Officer, Master Jailer, Mental Health Peace Officer, Arson Investigator, Field Training Officer, Emergency Care Attendant and an Accredited Advanced Firefighter. 

He is a member of the State Fireman and Fire Marshal’s Association and the Sheriff’s Association of Texas.  In 2009, he received the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award, which was presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6873.  In 2010 he received the Fireman of the Year award presented by View Volunteer Fire Department.

            Since taking office in 2013, Bishop has worked hard to increase salaries for employees along with updating and improving equipment for the Sheriff’s Office. A project currently in the works is moving the Sheriff’s Office into the 21st Century with a new software and computer system for all employees at the jail, office, and in patrol cars. He is currently in his fourth term of office and will seek a fifth term.

In 2018, the Behavioral Advisory Team (BAT) was formed to address mental issues in the community and Bishop was elected co-chair of the team.  In the last few years, they have formed new programs to include the Crisis Response Team which is made up of a police officer, paramedic, and mental health crisis worker and the jail diversion committee which discusses the need to divert people from jail at the time of arrest to receive mental health services. 

The diversion process has also allowed Bishop and his staff to start a Jail Navigator program at the jail.  The Navigator is a mental health case worker who sees inmates regularly and detainees as they are brought into booking.  These programs have helped the Taylor County jail population significantly since approximately 40% of the inmates are taking some type of mental health medicine.

           In addition, in 2020 and 2023, Bishop was selected to be on the interview board for the City of Abilene to select a new Police Chief and in 2022, he received the Melvin Martin First Responder of the Year Award from the Kiwanis Club of Abilene.

            Bishop attended both McMurry University and Cisco College following graduation from Winters High School. He has been extremely supportive of the Winters Showcase Career Day and the Career Exploration Field Trip, as well as other Winters ISD endeavors. Bishop and his wife, Peggy, have two children, Lanham (Trey) Bishop and Lily (Bishop) Cauthen. In his spare time, Ricky enjoys calf roping, volunteering with the fire department, and spending time with his family, including his four grandchildren..