By Bill Zeeble & BJ Austin, KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – Bill Clements, former Governor of Texas, is being remembered by family, friends and colleagues Thursday afternoon. The Dallas oil driller turned politician died Sunday at age 94.
In a simple service filled with hymns and scriptural readings, friends and family of Bill Clements paid tribute to the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry and other GOP political dignitaries were among those in the congregation at St. Michael and all Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas.
The church's retired rector, the Rev. William Power, said Clements had made it clear that he wanted a plain memorial service, without eulogy.
However, in the homily at the service, Power did talk briefly about the governor. Mostly, he spoke of his heartbreak at the news that his son had been shot dead last fall.
Texas Senator John Cornyn says Clements changed the face of Texas politics.
Cornyn: He was a Texas original. He was tough. He told you exactly what was on his mind. There wasn't any confusion. He didn't speak politicaleze. He spoke Texan, and we're going to miss him.
Senator Cornyn says a lot of people who hold political office today in the state of Texas stand on the shoulders of Bill Clements.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison was among the many dignitaries who remembered the late Governor. She recalled her fondest memory of Clements after he endorsed her run for State Treasurer.
Hutchison: He told me I would not win the Treasurer's race unless Clayte Williams won the Governorship, so "Get out there and help Clayte."
Clayton Williams lost that 1990 race to Ann Richards. But Hutchison won her Treasurers race. She said she and Clements laughed together about that one.
Gas Prices Drop Again
Gasoline prices in Texas are down for the third week in a row.
Dan Ronan, with Triple-A-Texas, says the statewide average is $3.63 a gallon.
Ronan: And this is pretty significant because we are anywhere between 22 and 25 cents a gallon less than we were this time a month ago.
But, Ronan says even with the decline, prices are still a dollar higher than they were a year ago.
In Dallas and Fort Worth, gasoline dropped 8 cents a gallon in during the past week.
Thieves Hit Parker County Churches
Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler is asking for the public's help to catch those responsible for stealing air conditioners from churches.
Sheriff Fowler says it's happened twice in less than a week.
The first time, Holy Redeemer Church lost five of its eight air conditioning units to thieves. Yesterday, a Springtown church reported that someone dismantled and stole four 5-ton air conditioning units worth ten thousand dollars.
The Sheriff says he's not sure yet if the cases are related. Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to one thousand dollars.
Nowitzki still seeking best bandage for finger
Dirk Nowitzki tested at least a third different wrap of the splint on his injured left middle finger during a shootaround before Game 2 of the NBA finals.
Nowitzki tore the tendon in the top knuckle of the finger late in Game 1. The Mavericks star doesn't believe the injury will hinder him because he shoots with his other hand.
He said Thursday that he's not in pain and is just trying to find a wrap that protects the finger and still gives him a good feel for the ball.
Nowitzki said he was able to catch and dribble without much difficulty during practice Wednesday.
He scored six of his 27 points in the opener after the injury. The Mavericks lost in Miami, 92-84 on Tuesday night.