Fernando Santibanez

Fernando "Fred" Santibanez, 87, of Abilene passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011, at a local medical center. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 4, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home with Dr. Julian Bridges officiating. Burial will follow in City Cemetery in Abilene. Fernando was the grandson of a pioneer family that came to Callahan and Taylor Counties with T & P Railroad in the 1890's. Fernando was born August 20, 1923 in Abilene to Camillo and Cruz Santibanez. He attended the Americanization School, the Central Ward School and Abilene High School when it was located at the old Lincoln School. He got his G.E.D. in the early 1970's. He married Ignacia Garcia in June of 1943. Fernando retired from the City of Abilene and worked as a custodian for Abilene ISD. He was a Baptist and had been a member of First Baptist Church since April of 1937. Fernando was preceded in death by his wife, parents, five brothers, and one stepson. He is survived by four daughters, one stepdaughter and their husbands, Rachel and Fred Vinas, Thelma and Israel Loya, Karen and Brian Ehrie, Judy Santibanez and Lily Martinez; one sister, Frances Rodriguez; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Eddie Aldaco, Fred Vinas, Michael Carter, Christian Hufford, Fred Vinas Jr., Michael Carter Jr., Israel Loya, Lonnie Anthony, Buchanan Anthony, Brian Ehrie, Taylor Carter, Christopher Hufford and Carlos Montez. Memorials may be given to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all of the doctors, nurses and staff of the 5th Floor and Hospice at Hendrick Medical Center.