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Our Staff

Our Valued Staff

Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.

Robert Elliott Hamil

Robert Elliott Hamil

Owner/ Funeral Director & Embalmer

Robert was born to John and Jo Ann Hamil 1965.  He has called Abilene his home all his life.   From a young age, Robert has worked with his mom and dad at the funeral home.  He has always felt that being a funeral director is his calling in life. Robert is now a third generation funeral director and embalmer.  Having been around the business his entire life, there was no question that he would follow the legacy of his parents and grandparents.  He graduated from Cooper High School in 1984 and from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1986. He received his funeral director’s license in September of 1986 and in 1987 he received his embalmer’s license.  Robert married Karla Davis in 1991 and they had their first child in 1996, Aaron Hamil, and in 1999 they had their second child, John Austin Hamil.  Robert enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, along with his sons and wife.  Robert has served on the board of directors of Director’s Investment Group (DIG) and Funeral Director’s Life Insurance Company (FDLIC) since 1998.  Robert and his family are members of Pioneer Drive Church in Abilene.

Karla Hamil

Karla Hamil

Owner & Business Manager

Karla Hamil was born to Bob & Gayle Davis in Abilene, Texas.  She graduated from Cooper High School in 1990 and McMurry University in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in business.  Karla married Robert Hamil on October 19, 1991.  The pride and joy of Robert and Karla’s life are their two sons Aaron Elliott Hamil and John Austin Hamil.  Aaron was born May 22, 1996 and Austin was born May 25, 1999.  She enjoys traveling, fishing, and spending time with family, but most of all she loves being a mom.  Her plan in life was to be a full time mom and wife, but that was not exactly God’s plan.  She feels He has not only made her a wife and mother but a business partner with Robert. They work together as a team in everything they do. It has been a great learning experience that she has enjoyed and looks forward to helping families in their time of need.

Aaron Elliott Hamil

Aaron Elliott Hamil

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Aaron was born to Robert and Karla Hamil in Abilene, Texas in 1996. Having worked alongside his mother and father from a young age, it was only natural for him to join and continue to serve the people of Abilene. He is now a fourth-generation funeral director and embalmer, continuing the legacy previously of Elliott-Hamil and now The Hamil Family Funeral Home.


When his parents opened The Hamil Family Funeral Home in 2005, Aaron began helping on funerals just as his father had with John and Jo Ann Hamil. He graduated from Wylie High School in 2014 and spent two semesters at college before he moved to Dallas in 2015 to attend the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, where he first met Taylor McKay. Aaron served as the Second Vice President of the Iota Omicron Class. He received his Associate of Applied Science in 2016 and came back home to Abilene where he received his Funeral Directing and Embalming license in 2017. He and Taylor reconnected in 2017, and they worked in and around the DFW Metroplex until there was an opportunity to come back home. They were thrilled to be welcomed back to The Hamil Family Funeral Home with open hearts. Aaron is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoys spending time with his family supporting America’s Team.

John Austin Hamil

John Austin Hamil

Provisional Funeral Director

Austin was born to Robert and Karla Hamil in Abilene, Texas in 1999. In 2021, he graduated with his Bachelors degree in Business from Tarleton State University, and decided to enroll in mortuary school, following in the footsteps of his brother, father, and grandparents. He plans to become another fourth generation funeral director of the Hamil family, continuing the legacy previously of Elliott-Hamil and now The Hamil Family Funeral Home.


Austin lives in Abilene with his girlfriend, Lizzie, and their two dogs, Stormi and Sage.

Taylor McKay

Taylor McKay

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Taylor was born and raised in Rochester, New York. After graduating high school there, she studied Health Science at The College at Brockport, State University of New York for two semesters. Although she wasn’t born here, she came to Texas as fast as she could.


She moved to Dallas in 2015, when she started school at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, where she and Aaron Hamil first met. In 2016, she graduated with her Associate of Applied Science, and in 2017, received her Funeral Directing and Embalming license from Resthaven Funeral Home in Rockwall, Texas. After working around the DFW Metroplex, she and Aaron reconnected in 2017, and they were thrilled to be welcomed back to The Hamil Family Funeral Home with open hearts. Although funeral directing was not her first plan, it has become her life’s calling. Taylor has a deep love for animals, and she enjoys reading, cooking, and travelling, especially to visit all her family back in Rochester, New York.

Alan Wainscott

Alan Wainscott

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Alan was born to Sam & Omega Wainscott in Jal, New Mexico in 1967. Alan grew up in Jal and while in high school he worked for Cooper Funeral Home in Kermit, Texas under the direction of Lefty Cooper. After graduating from Jal High School, Alan attended Tarleton State University before moving to Dallas to attend Mortuary school. In 1991, he graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. After graduation, Alan worked for Martins Funeral Home in Granbury, Texas where he served his apprenticeship and received his funeral director's license and embalmer's license in May of 1992. In August of 1992, Alan moved to Abilene to work for the Hamil’s.


Alan served as President and Vice President of the West Texas Funeral Directors Association and had previously served on the board of the West Texas Funeral Directors Association.

James Campbell

James Campbell

Funeral Director & Embalmer

James was born in Dumas, TX and raised in Stratford, TX, all in the Texas Panhandle.


His family moved to Liberal, KS where he graduated high school.  After attending Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, he graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service.  James worked in Brownfield, San Angelo, Kermit and El Paso.  He worked for and later owned Robert Massie Funeral Home in San Angelo for many years.


He moved to the Abilene area and is excited to work at The Hamil Family Funeral Home.  James loves to read and take care of his dogs.


Kent Anderson

Kent Anderson

Funeral Director

Kent Anderson was born to the late B.L. Anderson and Billie Benton Anderson in 1950.  Reared on a cotton farm around Ralls, Texas, Home of The Fighting Jackrabbits, Kent graduated from Ralls High School in 1968. He attended Texas Tech University and moved to Houston to attend Commonwealth College of Science where he graduated in February of 1970.  Kent worked at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home in Odessa after graduation and there served his apprenticeship under G.C. Hubbard and Jay Kelly.  He received his Embalmer and Funeral Director’s license in 1971.  Kent has also worked in Lubbock, Houston and Austin before going to work for the Hamil Family in Abilene in 1987.  Kent married the love of his life in May of 1993 in Buffalo Gap. Kent’s favorite past times include barbeque and riding Harley’s with his wife Lupe. Kent and Lupe have 3 daughters: Kellie, Leah and Valerie; and 5 grandkids: Elijah, Andrea, Noah Erin and Oliver.  Kent & Lupe are members of the Hillcrest Church of Christ. 

Teresa Baucum

Teresa Baucum

Pre-Need Counselor

Teresa Baucum was born in Abilene, Texas to parents Doris and Jimlee Baucum.  She graduated from Anson High School.  Teresa worked for American Eagle Airlines for as a ticket agent at the Abilene Airport.  She then moved to Granbury, Texas where she worked for the Hood County Sheriff’s Dept. as a dispatcher.   After leaving the Sheriff’s Dept. she moved back to Abilene in 1999 where she began her career as a funeral pre-arrangement counselor.  Teresa attends Beltway Baptist Church.

Funeral & Visitation Assistants

Carroll Perkins

Carroll Perkins

Funeral Assistant

Carroll was raised on the Texas Gulf Coast in Aransas Pass. He joined the US Air Force in 1965 and served on bases in Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Incirlik Turkey. He retired from the Air Force in 1987, here at Dyess AFB. After retirement he work for Rockwell International on the B1 program until 1993.


Carroll began work in and around the funeral industry for Rita Barber, Inc as a Sale’s Representative in October 1993 traveling the state of Texas and southern Oklahoma. He joined the staff at Hamil Family Funeral Home in 2015.


He’s been married to Jane for over 50 years. They have two adult children, Marci and Jonathan.

David Cason

David Cason

Funeral Assistant

David was born and raised west of Tyler, Texas on a farm. He graduated from high school in 1965. He spent two years in United States Army, serving a year of duty in Viet Nam. In 1970 he answered the call to be a preacher of the Gospel. David graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1972 with a BA and from Southwestern Baptist Seminary with a Master of Divinity in 1975. Later that year he was called as pastor of Broadview Baptist Church, here in our city.  He served that church until he transitioned out in 2013 after thirty-seven and a half years as their pastor. He married his wife, Jeanne, in 1967. They have three married sons, three tremendous daughter-in-laws and seven grandchildren.


  John and Joann Hamil took a liking to David. They were very helpful and generous to him as a struggling young pastor. John was a mentor on how to conduct a funeral with dignity and compassion. It was a easy move to help Robert and Karla when he transitioned to a new ministry.

Kelly Willis

Kelly Willis

Funeral Assistant

Kelly Willis was born and raised in Abilene, Texas, and graduated from Abilene High School. After a semester at ACU, he decided to carry on a family tradition and became third generation law enforcement.


He began the Abilene Police Academy in September 1980 and after serving the community for over 35 years, he retired in April, 2016 to join the Hamil Family Funeral Home.


He has been married to his wife, Ann, for 16 years and has a son Beau who resides in Weatherford with his wife Kelley. Kelly and Ann have been active members of Broadview Baptist Church since 2002. He enjoys traveling, spending time with family, fishing and helping others.

Martin DeHoyos

Martin DeHoyos

Funeral Assistant

Martin was born to the late Manuel and Olivama DeHoyos in Dumas, TX. He graduated from Dumas High School in 1975. Martin started his career working for Morrison Funeral Directors in Dumas while in high school, under the direction and apprenticeship of Morris and Larry Morrison. He attended and graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1977. He received his Embalmers and Funeral Directors license in 1978.


Martin worked for Morrison Funeral Directors for eight years. He moved to Abilene, TX to work for Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home where he worked an additional 13 years. He furthered his education and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science in 1996. He received his Masters of education degree from Tarleton State University in 2000.


He worked in education as a coach, teacher, associate principal, and principal for both the Abilene ISD and Everman ISD. In June of 2022, after 25 years, Martin retired from education. He has begun to work part time for The Hamil Family Funeral Home and is looking forward to being a part of the new Hamil generation.


Martin married Gloria and they have been together for 46 years. Together, they raised four children: Fernando, Ricardo, Joey, and Marissa Gallow. They are enjoying five grandchildren: Jozalyn, Joe David, Braxton Gallow and Miguel and Elena DeHoyos.


Martin and Gloria enjoy camping, fishing, grilling, and attending their grandchildren’s sporting events.

Martin and Gloria are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.


Andrew Turnbull

Andrew Turnbull

Funeral Assistant

Andrew Turnbull, the fourth child of Dr. Marshall and Annadell Turnbull, was born in 1962 at Hendrick Hospital. His family has been associated with the Hamil family since the 1960s. After graduating from Cooper High in 1980, he pursued his degree in agriculture economics at Texas A&M. After graduation, he worked for JH Strain and Sons Highway Construction for five years. Andrew married Kim Schumacher from Iowa in 1989. They have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. In 1990, his career changed to the pest control business. In 1996, he opened Bug Blasters in Abilene and retired in 2021. He remains very busy with a handyman service, his daughter’s food truck, Scouts BSA, Abilene A&M Club, Meals on Wheels Plus, Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, and St. Paul United Methodist Church. In his spare time Andrew enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, and travelling.

Ellen Leddy Bradenberger

Ellen Leddy Bradenberger

Visitation Attendant

Ellen Leddy Brandenberger was born to the late Hollis H. Leddy & Nancy Drake Leddy on December 11, 1953 in San Angelo, Texas. After graduating from Central High School in 1972, she attended Baylor & then transferred to Texas Tech, where she graduated in 1976, majoring in Child Development & Family Relations. Ellen knew she wanted to work with children & families & began her social work career in Breckenridge, Texas in July of '76 for Child Protective Services. She moved there not knowing a soul, but that's where she met & married her husband, now of 45 years, Mike Brandenberger. Ellen & Mike were blessed with two wonderful children, a daughter, Whitney Brown, & a son, Brian Brandenberger. They also have two very special grandsons, Brooks & Weston Brown, all residing in the Dallas area.


In October of '77, Mike & Ellen moved from Breckenridge to Abilene, where she continued her social work at CPS, in the areas of foster care, adoption, investigation, training, & case reviews. While working for CPS, Ellen had the opportunity to obtain her Masters Degree in Social Work in 1984 through Our Lady of the Lake University. Ellen always says Mike's name should be on her diploma as much as hers because she could never have obtained her degree without his support & encouragement.


In 2005, after over 27 years, Ellen retired from CPS. Following her retirement, she worked at Christian Homes of Abilene, where she continued providing adoption services. After that she worked part-time at Centers for Children & Families, providing post adoption services. Her work there ended when their 1st grandson was born prematurely in 2009 & she was needed to help with his care. He was truly a miracle & is now almost 13 & in great health & active in sports, as is his younger brother. Ellen began working part-time at The Hamil Family Funeral Home in July of '21, & is thrilled to be able to continue serving families, during a time of great need. It's been such a blessing to assist these families & to work with such a caring team of people at Hamil, for which I'm very thankful! Ellen & Mike have been members of First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene since 1978.

Greg Rake

Greg Rake

Pre-Need Counselor

Greg Rake was born and reared in Abilene, Texas, where he graduated from Cooper High School in 1992 and perused undergraduate and graduate degrees from Hardin Simmons University. Greg holds a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in Social Work and a Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development.  He is also a licensed and ordained Baptist Minister. 


Greg serves as a bi-vocational minister and currently works full-time for the Abilene Independent School District as an assistant elementary school principal. He also has a private practice serving the community doing supervised parent visitations and adoption home assessments. Along with serving families through education and private practice, Greg works as an adjunct instructor for both McMurry University and Hardin Simmons University as needed. Greg feels his life calling is serving and working to help people in many areas of life.   In Greg’s spare time he enjoys spending time with family and friends. He is a proud uncle to three nephews, Ethan, Brayson and Dawson.


Recently, Greg began working with The Hamil Family Funeral Home as a Preneed Counselor.  If you are considering preplanning or would like to visit about the different options available, please give Greg a call. He would welcome the opportunity to assist you and your family in planning ahead for your future needs.

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