Ernest Eugene Reynolds

Ernest Eugene Reynolds, 91, of Abilene, passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2011. Visitation will be from 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Friday, October 7, 2011 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal with The Rev. N. Luke Back and The Rev. Amanda Watson presiding. Ernest was born in Hutchins, Texas on February 19, 1920 to Ernest and Sallie (Hemphill) Reynolds. He was a 1939 graduate of Abilene High School. He grew up at the First Baptist Church in Abilene and became a member of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal upon marriage, where he remained a member for the rest of his life. Ernest attended the University of Arkansas on a GI Bill. While attending college, he met and married Marianne Matthews, of Little Rock, AR. They were married on February 22, 1947 in Benton, AR and were married for 57 years. After graduating from college with a business degree in personnel management, Ernest pursued a career with the U.S. Government, which lasted until his retirement in 1975. He served in the United States Army during World War II for its entirety. Following 18 months Garrison Duty in the Aleutian Islands he was transferred to Britain, crossed the channel and landed at Utah Beach where he joined the advancing of Germany serving under General Patton. After the Allied Victory he had earned enough points to be discharged; but instead he volunteered to remain in Europe, as his skills were still needed there. A favorite memory of his was the night his train arrived at the old train depot in downtown Abilene, where he was reunited with his family and friends. A third generation Abilenian, Ernest was a man who always put God, Country and Family first. The only equal to his love of these was his native West Texas. His paternal grandfather, Brother James Reynolds, was the first Texas State Evangelist at First Baptist Church and was an early College Pastor at Simmons College, now Hardin-Simmons University. His maternal grandfather, Judge William T. Hemphill, was one of Abilene's founders who purchased lots at a town lot sale in 1881, at the founding of Abilene. His great-grandfather, Captain Jack Taylor, another early Abilene settler, was a cousin to President Zachary Taylor. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marianne Matthews Reynolds on November 29, 2004, and his sister Martha Reynolds Hamilton. He is survived by two sons, Ernest Eugene "Skip" Reynolds, III and wife Barbara of Colleyville, David William Reynolds of Dallas; one daughter, India Reynolds of Abilene; and three grandchildren, Colleen Reynolds Phelan, Sarah Reynolds Yves, and David Taylor Reynolds. The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Victor Hudman, Jr., Dr. Noel Chant and Dr. Patrick Bruton. They would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Ms. Kay Forehand, who was the "angel among us", Mr. Alex Forehand, Ms. Peggy Wilson, Ms. Shannon Bargainer; as well as Natalie, Sherry, Amber, Mike and Bill and the entire amazing staff of Beyond Faith Home Care. Memorials may be may made in honor of Ernest Reynolds to the Church of the Heavenly, Episcopal, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX 79602; Beyond Faith Home Care, 500 Chestnut, Abilene, TX 79602; or to the donor's favorite charity.