How big? (What size)

Looks sort of like one of the Cimbiscid sawflies to me.

The wingspan was about ?1 1/2" - 2" across, bigger than the vertical length of its body. I don't recall ever seeing a sawfly here, but it does look similar to that type of sawfly in the pictures on the internet. We have plenty of big flies, but they're horse flies, also some smaller yellow flies, don't know what kind, just that they sting.

Sherry

This appears to be a Tiger bee fly, or something very similar, a true fly, much bigger than most bee flies. Check the link below. Hope this helps -
Tucker

Here is a link that might be useful: Tiger Bee Fly

Thanks, Tucker - you got it right! It had those big eyes that flies always have.

Sherry

You know for a fly, I like the pattern it has. Pretty cool. Is it a predator or foe? Any one know?

Friend or foe depends upon your point of view, I guess. Adult females lay their eggs in the tunnels of carpenter bees. The larvae of the fly will feed on whatever it finds in there. Adults feed on nectar and pollen and can be observed on flowers.