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Michael Lee "Mike" Herron, 64
Died: Sunday, September 12, 2010, in Abilene, Texas
Mike Herron, age 64, passed away at his home on Sunday, September 12, 2010.
A military graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 17, 2010, at the Texas State Veteran's Cemetery, 7457 West Lake Road, Abilene. Rev. Mike Woodard of Southwest Park Baptist Church will officiate. A visitation with the family will be Thursday evening, September 16, 2010, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, in Abilene.
Mike was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on August 18, 1946, to Frank and Evelyn Herron. Following graduation from high school, Mike was drafted into the US Army in December of 1967. He graduated from Officer Candidate School at Ft. Knox, Kentucky; and from Helicopter Flight School in Mineral Wells, Texas.
Lt. Herron married Mary Lemon in Abilene on October 12, 1968.
He served one tour of duty in Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medal with Valor. He also received two Army Commendation medals.
After his service in Vietnam, Mike and Mary were stationed at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, where he was an instructor in the Warrant Officer Career Course. Mike attended the Officer Career Course at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, and then served as a company commander at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
In October of 1975, Mike and his family moved to Abilene, TX. He opened Herron Construction Company, and was named Home Builder of the Year in 1979. He later represented Frontier Products of Lubbock as a salesman of commercial construction materials and in 1998 he began his own business, Frontier Products of Abilene.
"Big Mike" was a loyal supporter of his children's activities as they were growing up. He was a member of the Southern Little League Board of Directors, and of the Cooper High School Booster Club. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mike and Mary enjoyed time with family and friends in the cool mountains of Ruidoso. Favorite travel destinations were Los Angeles to spend time with their daughter, and Denver to visit their son and his family.
Mike's grandchildren, Jack and Eva, were his pride and joy. Time spent with the grandchildren was the best time of all. He enjoyed letting them work in "Grandpa's warehouse."
Mike is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary; his son, Mike and wife Lara and children Jack and Eva of Denver; his daughter Becky of Los Angeles; his brother, Ron and wife Jeanne of Grand Rapids, Michigan; his brother, Terry and wife Mary of Denver; his sister-in-law, Ann Greenhaw, of Abilene; his brother-in-law, David Lemon and wife Maria, of Miami; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Evelyn Herron; his brother, Ed Herron; and his in-laws, Pete and Laura Lemon.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 209 S. Danville, Bldg B, Ste 107, Abilene, TX, 79605; Kidney Foundation of North Texas Inc 5429 LBJ Freeway #250, Dallas, TX 75240-2617; or a charity of donor's choice.
Lucile H. Clinton, 91
Died: Monday, September 13, 2010, in Abilene, Texas
Our precious mother, Lucile Clinton, left this earthly world on Monday, September 13, 2010 to be welcomed home by her heavenly Father, at the age of 91. The funeral service for Lucile Clinton will be held at Oldham Lane Church of Christ at 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 17, 2010, with Chris McCurley officiating, assisted by son-in-law, Mark Brown and great-son-in-law, Kelly Wayne West. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 P.M. on Thursday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home.
Born on January 22, 1919 in Addison, Texas, Lucile was the daughter of the late Joshua and Eula Stacie Hogan. Lucile moved with her family when she was five years old to Abilene, Texas, where she remained until her death. She attended Abilene schools and graduated from Abilene High. Lucile met B.G. Clinton at a country gospel singing event, and they were married on May 1, 1937. Lucile remained a homemaker during the early years of their marriage in order to help raise the couple's three daughters, Nelda, Sandra and Brenda. She was an accomplished seamstress, having made many cheerleader uniforms, majorette uniforms, as well as sewing for the public. Lucile was selected in 1965 to make the complete wardrobe for Miss Abilene and later for Miss Texas. Later, Lucile worked for Thornton's Department Store, first in the fabric department, and later in the ladies apparel department. After she retired from Thornton's Department Store, she worked for Hallmark Greeting Cards, until her health required that she finally retire for good. Lucile loved to make jellies and jams, and won several first place ribbons at the West Texas Fair. She also loved to bake sweets, with her beautiful pecan pies being known far and wide as "the best ever". She was a dedicated, faithful member of the Church of Christ all of her life, with her membership being at the Oldham Lane Church of Christ at the time of her death
Lucile was preceded in death by her husband, B.G. Clinton; parents, Joshua and Eula Stacie Hogan; brother, Jake Hogan; brother, Tate Hogan; and sister, Dortha Reynolds.
She is survived by daughters, Nelda Smithwick of Abilene, Texas, Sandy Clinton of Richmond, Texas, Brenda Brown (Mark) of Abilene, Texas. Grandchildren surviving are Don Smithwick of Oplin, Texas, Kelly Jo West (Kelly Wayne) of Cisco, Texas, Amy Hellums of Mesquite, Texas, Dillon Varner (Rachel) of Needville, Texas, Wade Varner (Karen) of Dallas, Texas, Misty Tom (Troy) of Abilene, Texas, Bridget Herring (Justin) of Abilene, Texas and Sarah Alexander (Randy) of Abilene, Texas, as well as 15 great grandchildren.
Known as "Mom", "Grandmother", "Gigi", Lucile will be remembered as one of the most loving and caring persons in our lives. We will miss her dearly, but know that she is in a much better place, free from her pain and at home with her Lord.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandsons-in-law: Don Smithwick, Dillon Varner, Wade Varner, Troy Tom, Justin Herring and Randy Alexander. Honorary pallbearers will be: Jacob West, Kaleb Hellums, Josh Hellums (great-grandsons), as well as Stan Roberts and Jim Fowler.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Hendrick Hospice for their excellent care of Lucile. Memorials should be made to this wonderful organization, Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, Texas 79601, or to Meals On Wheels Plus, PO Box 903, Abilene, Texas 79604.
Howard C. Preslar, 81
Died: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Howard C. Preslar, 81, died Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at an Abilene nursing home.
Born in Sanco, Texas on May 18, 1930, Howard was the son of Loma Lea (Bodenhammer) and Howard Dennis Preslar. He served in the U. S. Army National Guard. Howard worked for Mission Pipe for over 35 years.
Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Preslar, in 2006; grandson, Jacob Gilbert; parents; and brother, Barton Preslar.
Survivors include his son, Jacky Preslar and wife Nancy of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; daughter, Kathleen Butler and husband James of Sweetwater, Texas; stepdaughter, Terri Tyra and her son, Casey Gilbert; two grandchildren, Kelly Preslar and Thuy Jimenez; and one great-grandson, Christopher Jimenez.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 14, at Overton First Baptist Church in Overton, Texas. Interment will follow in Overton City Cemetery, directed by Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, 905 S. Commerce Street in Overton, Texas. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home in Overton.
Billy Jack Cunningham, 76
Died: Saturday, January 14, 2012, in Fort Worth, Texas
Billy Jack Cunningham 76, died Saturday, January 14, 2012, at Baylor Hospital in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. He was born January 26, 1935 in Tuscola, Texas, the son of Bill and Eva Cunningham.
As a young man he went to work for Exxon service stations in Abilene. He played drums with a small band, playing the NCO clubs and Country clubs around the Abilene area.
In later years Billy Jack worked for Gooch Packing plant as a driver before a back injury caused him to retire. He lived in Aspermont, Texas for a number of years after retiring and later moved to Boyd, Texas.
He was a member of the Methodist Church at Tuscola.
Older folks may remember Billy as a red-headed, freckle-faced kid on a red bicycle with his dog in a side car and a big pet Racoon riding on the handlebars.
Billy is survived by his son, Dana Cunningham of Arlington, Texas; daughter, Debra Cunningham of the Metro-Plex area; grandson, Orlando Aguirre of Abilene; sister, Merleta Hon of Boyd, Texas; nephew, Charles Day of Tatum, New Mexico; and niece, Carol Waldrop of Boyd, Texas.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 16, in Tuscola Cemetery directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home prior to leaving for the graveside service in Tuscola.
Bill F. Lail, 86
Died: Monday, January 9, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Bill F. Lail, 86, passed away peacefully after a sudden illness on Monday, January 9th, 2012 with his family by his side in Abilene, Texas.
With heavy hearts we celebrate his life as a devoted husband, loving father, adoring grandfather, and proud great-grandfather.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, Jan. 14th at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. with Chaplain E.J. Chafin officiating. Burial will follow at the Bluff Creek Cemetery in South Taylor County, Texas. The family will receive friends for visitation from 6-8 PM on Friday, Jan. 13th at the funeral home.
Bill was born in Los Angeles, California on April 23, 1925 to P.F. and Mary Arnold (Massengale) Lail.
At the early age of 17 he joined the Army Air Corps during WW II. He trained and mastered the skills to become a P-51 Fighter Pilot serving in the Pacific theater. While on a 3 day leave, prior to his deployment to Okinawa, he married his sweetheart and love of his life, Helen Loraine Fennell, in Salinas, California on July 30, 1945. He was a proud and patriotic WW II veteran.
Upon his return at the end of the war, he and Helen began their reunited lives together in Southern California.
He was partner in Philyaw & Lail Engineering in El Segundo, California. There they made aircraft parts and contracted with NASA for work done on the Lunar Modular Space Surveyor. With trips back and forth to Texas and the family ranch at Bluff Creek, he returned permanently with his family in the early 70's. Within a few more years, he branched out to purchase 2 more ranches for cattle and minerals, striking oil on his Happy Valley Ranch.
His other hobbies and interests were vast and never ending. His love of flying had him building model airplanes. He was the first to build and design retractable landing gears and model airplane engines from top down. With his inventive mind and creative abilities, he went on to many projects. He worked for many years in his quest of designing a better hydrogen engine to his most recent gold extracting machine.
Bill was recently preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Helen.
Bill is survived by his 3 children (son) Gary William Lail and wife Pati, from Chandler, Arizona, (daughter) Connie Louise Lail Jones and husband Tom from Abilene, Texas, (son) James Floyd Lail and wife Barbara from Abilene, Texas; one very loving sister, Jean Lail Milternberger from Dallas Texas, and a favorite cousin, Theresa Goller from Dana Pt., California. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren, Celeste, Candice, Loren - Christopher, Patrick, Amber - Heather, Samantha, Brandi, Phillip, and Ryan; seven beautiful great-grandchildren, Krista, Dillion, Taylor, Ethan, Mackenzie, Dylan, Gavin and an eighth to be born this year.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Joseph Ferguson and the dedicated nurses at Hendrick Medical Center for their wonderful care during our father's last few days. We are very grateful.
Bill would be honored for any remembrances made on his behalf to the Wounded Warriors Project.
