William Ernest Vest Jr. “Ernie”, age 65 departed from our world to be with his heavenly father Feb. 14th 2009.   Ernie was a true cowboy and arguably one of the best horsemen to have ever lived.  He started out in the horse business shoeing horses while in the rodeo circuit riding broncs, bulls and roping.  Ernie worked for and with Rex Cauble on the Cauble ranch for years as he began following his passion, cutting horses.  He carved his nitch in buying and selling cutting horses all over the world.  Ernie was a familiar face at all the major sales.  He enjoyed Don, Milt, Ben and Jim, as well as many other auctioneers.  He was well known at ranches like the King Ranch, Sombrero, Bar Nothing etc.  Ernie lived and continued his horse business for his last few years at Triple S Quarter Horses in Valley View TX with his son Will Vest.  He valued friendship and honesty more than he did a dollar and always lived his life the way he wanted, the cowboy way.  He treasured his friendships with other horseman like Matlock Rose, Rex Cauble and life long friend Joe Heim.

Ernie was preceded in death by his grandmother Gladys Markwell, he is survived by father William Earnest Vest Sr., children; Allen Vest, Rhonnetta Richard, Sammie Harris, William Earnest Vest III, Joeseph Vest, brother Holly Vest, and sisters; Claire Mae Hamzie, Rita Owens, Marcie Rasbury, grand children; Jessie, Christy, Kimberly, Patrissa, Stevee, and Jordan.

Per the request of Ernie, no funeral will be held, only the fulfilling of his wish to have his ashes taken by horseback and spread in the Palo Duro Canyon “So horses can continue to step on me and s…. on me like they did my whole life.”  Words will be spoken at the Palo Duro canyon by friend, Rev. Jeff W Schuckers.