David W. Hamblin

David William Hamblin, Sr., 84, of Abilene passed away on August 26, 2014 in Abilene. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Abilene, Texas with the Rev. Felicia Hopkins, Rev. Ava Berry and Rev. Bill Libby officiating. Arrangements are with The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. David was born in Paris, Texas to Emory E. Hamblin and Mable Irene Biffle Hamblin on May 27, 1930. He attended Shallowater High School. On June 14, 1953, David married Wanda Lee Todd. He graduated from McMurry University in 1953. David was a United Methodist Minister for 44 years, retiring in 1995. He served his ministry appointments in Shep/Wingate; Eula/Potosi/Rogers; Blackwell; Sunray; Fairpark (Abilene); Trinity (Snyder); O’Donnell; Memphis; Littlefield; Aldersgate (Abilene) and Muleshoe. He also served as District Superintendent of the Big Spring District; and the Lubbock District. From 1986 – 1995 he served as the Senior Pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church (Abilene). While a minister in the Northwest Texas Conference, David served many organizations. Among them, he served as the Secretary of the Minimum Salary Commission, Board of Evangelism, Board of Ordained Ministry, Vice Chairman/Conference Relations, Chairperson Board of Ordained Ministry, Board of Managers for Local Pastor’s Course of Study at SMU Perkins School of Theology, South Central Jurisdictional Board of Ordained Ministry. David was awarded the Texas Methodist College Association named scholarship in 1982 by McMurry University. He also was awarded the Doctor of Divinity Degree in May, 1982 by McMurry University. He was Chairperson of the South Central Jurisdiction Committee for Volunteers in Mission Program. He served as Trustee at McMurry University, and while there he was a member of the Executive Committee and Secretary of the Board. Other organizations that he served include the Executive Committee of Methodist Hospital (Lubbock), Trustee at Sears Memorial Methodist Center (Abilene), Chair of Hope Haven (Abilene). David was also very active in each community in which he lived. Some of those organizations include Lions Club, Volunteer Fire Departments in Sunray & Memphis, Texas. He chaired a housing project in Memphis and was the President of the Littlefield Chamber of Commerce and the President of the Abilene Association of Congregations as well as serving as a Member of the Board of Directors of United Way. David had a passion for woodworking, playing golf, and his family. David is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Leslie Hamblin. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Wanda Lee Todd Hamblin, his children: Bill Hamblin and his wife Sharla of Littlefield, Patty Rogers and her husband Richard of Abilene; a sister Janie Baldwin and her husband Robert of Kerrville; six grandchildren, Lindsay Hardee and her husband Brent of Waxahachie, Shea Cantu and her husband Abel of Littlefield, Crystal Lightbody and her husband Steve of Dallas, Bradley Hamblin and his wife Lauren of Stanton, Casey Marchbanks and her husband Matt of Abilene, and Todd Rogers of Abilene. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. David's six grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family of David Hamblin wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Staff at Windcrest Health Care, St. Paul United Methodist Church along with all the friends and family who have helped. Memorials may be given to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 525 Beech Street, Abilene, TX 79601, or McMurry University, McMurry Station, P.O. Box 938, Abilene, TX 79697.