Charlie Clifton Weatherl

Charlie Clifton (Cliff) Weatherl of Abilene, TX passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, June 9, 2017. Cliff was 90 years old. He was born in Miller, Oklahoma on April 3, 1927, the third of nine children born to Otis and Kathleen Weatherl. Cliff attended Pine Springs School in Oklahoma. World War II took him away from his beloved Oklahoma and landed him in Hawaii. After being discharged from the army, Cliff returned to Oklahoma and, along with his brother and sidekick AJ Weatherl, found work with the Katy Railroad. AJ and Cliff were hired by Magnolia Oil as linemen, which led them both to a communications career with Mobil Oil. Cliff received advanced education through the company at the University of Texas in Austin and corporations such as GTE, Rockwell International, NABER and Motorola. Cliff retired from Mobil Oil after 37 years of service. Cliff met the love of his life, Bobbie Jean Griffith, in Atoka, Oklahoma, and they were married on March 3, 1951. The couple traveled extensively and eventually settled with their two children, Rick and Deborah, in Corsicana, TX. Mobil transferred the family to Abilene in 1967, and Cliff and Bobbie have been part of the Abilene community ever since. The family joined Pioneer Drive Baptist Church on January 1, 1968. Cliff loved Little League baseball, Cooper High School football, Municipal and Abilene Country Club golf, and participating in local golf tournaments. Most of all, Cliff loved his family, both immediate and extended. He delighted in every activity in which his children and grandchildren participated. He lived for the yearly family reunions and the opportunity to reunite with brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. People often said that Cliff never met a stranger. He was known and loved for his friendliness and sense of humor. He will be missed by many cherished friends and family. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents Otis and Kathleen Weatherl; sisters Anita Schultz, Cora Melton, Ella Marical; brothers Bruce Weatherl, AJ Weatherl, Hollis Weatherl, William Weatherl and son-in-law Thomas A. Autry. His brother Huey of Katy, TX is his only surviving sibling. Cliff is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bobbie Weatherl; his son, Rick Weatherl and wife Cathey of Abilene; and daughter Debbie Weatherl Autry of Leander. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kristin Autry, Thomas Cory (TC) Autry and wife Shauna, Andrew Weatherl and wife Michelle, Anne Weatherl McBride, Carrie Cook, Allie Davis and husband Eric, and Mary Catherine Barr and husband Alan. Cliff's great grandchildren are Angelica Allen, Grey McBride, Ava Foster, Lucy McBride, Wesley Autry, Logan Foster, Hollis Autry, Finn McBride, Amelia Davis, June McBride and Josephine Davis. Many nieces and nephews also survive Cliff. His nephew Richard Lewis of Abilene was a great companion to Cliff in his later years. Special thanks to the nurses and staff of Wisteria Place and Hendrick Hospice Care for their loving care of Cliff. Memorials may be given to the West Texas Rehab Center, Hendrick Hospice Care, the Salvation Army or to the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, at 1:30 pm on Saturday, June 17th. A visitation reception will follow the service at the church. A private interment will be at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Arrangements are by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene.