Aubrey William Bingham

Aubrey William (Bill) Bingham finished the earthly part of his eternal life on June 14, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving family in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at First Central Presbyterian Church. Bill was born on his family’s farm on March 11, 1914, the oldest of five children and the only son of Thomas Jefferson Bingham and Nannie Mae Attaway Bingham, who were born to pioneer settlers of the Calf Creek Community in McCullough County, near Brady. He and his four sisters learned from their parents early in life the value and joy of hard work and doing a job well. It was a lesson he passed along to his family, always with the admonition to “stay with it.” His love of work continued throughout his life. He was educated at the Calf Creek School for 10 years and graduated from Brady High School after having attended classes there for two years. He then enrolled in Texas Tech (College) University, graduating in 1940. While at Tech, his best friend Lane Black introduced him to his twin sister, Elizabeth from Barstow, Texas. They were married on December 25, 1940 at First Presbyterian Church in Abilene. They began their married life in Amherst, Texas where Bill was employed by the U.S.D.A. He enlisted in the Navy at the onset of World War II and was assigned to Covington Naval Air Station in Tennessee. He was an instructor for the Naval Air Corps, and taught communications, eventually becoming the supervisor of 24 instructors. When the war was over, Bill and Elizabeth returned to Pecos, Texas to raise their family. They owned and operated Home Furniture Company, where Elizabeth was the bookkeeper until 1963. After closing the furniture store, Bill was employed by Pecos ISD at Pecos Junior High as a math teacher for 8th grade students for 17 years and always said it was the favorite job of his lifetime. His students continued to tell him over the years how much his belief in them made them confident in other areas of their lives. In 1994, Bill and Elizabeth moved to Abilene to be closer to family and became members of First Central Presbyterian Church where their daughter and son-in-law have been members for 50 years. They were blessed to live together in their own home for almost 68 years before Elizabeth passed away in September 2008 at the age of 90. Bill was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, cousin, uncle and friend. He was a dignified Christian gentleman, who laughed easily and whose example of strength, devotion and faithfulness to God and his family was witnessed by all who knew him. For 49 years he and Elizabeth were dedicated members of First Presbyterian Church in Pecos, where he served as Deacon, Ruling Elder, Trustee, Sunday School teacher to high school students and chairman of many committees. He was baptized at the church built in Calf Creek by his grandfather early in life, and faithfully served the Lord all the days of his life. Beside family gatherings, one of the things he and Elizabeth enjoyed most were trips to Colorado to see the beautiful scenery and fly-fish in the cool waters of the mountain streams. In Pecos, Bill was well-known for the tomato plants that grew taller than his head, and he shared their abundance with everyone. In Abilene, he became famous for the giant geraniums he grew and kept over the winter every year. Bill’s family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. B.J. Estes, Dr. Noel Chant, Dr. Terry Johnson, Dr. Joseph Ferguson and Shannon Polone, PA for caring for Mother and Daddy over the years. Also the wonderful ladies at Home Instead, who so lovingly cared for Daddy and became our friends, Hendrick Hospice Care for sharing their expertise and their quick response to our needs, and Southwest Home Health Care for their help and care. Thanks especially to his special caregivers Loretta Hall for her years of faithfulness and love to Mother and Daddy and Sammie Donaldson for her happy Christian spirit in Daddy’s care and their friendship. Bill is survived by four children and their spouses: Nancy (Dick) Lemons of Abilene, John (Judy) Bingham of El Paso, Susan (Ed) Foreman of San Angelo, Judi (David) Hutcheson of Wolfforh and special caregiver, Loretta Hall. He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren and their spouses: Jan (Gary) Hulshouser, Jamie (Brad) Davis, Ami (Kel) Robinson, Monica (Tim) Downing, Jennifer (Kevin) Walker, Tammy Brosh, Brian (Shana) Hutcheson and Brad Hutcheson, as well as 14 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Helen Wilson of Dallas and brothers-in-law, Leland Moore and Sil Gallo, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Elizabeth, his parents, three sisters, Tommye, Dottie and Syble, and two brothers-in-law, Woodie Wilson and Bud Barsch. The family suggests memorial gifts in Bill’s memory be given to FCPC Choir Fund, 400 Orange, Abilene, TX 79602; First Presbyterian Church of Pecos, Box 296, Pecos, TX 79772, or the Jones, Espy, Finley Camp of Bloys Campmeeting c/o Jan Van Eman, P.O. Box 9037, Midland, TX 79708-9037.