James William Ashby

James William Ashby, 90, died Monday, January 11, 2016 at an Abilene medical center. Born in Caps, Texas on May 24, 1925, James was the son of Martha Eunice (Bradley) and O.H. Ashby, Sr. He married Dorothea Charleen Waxler on January 19, 1952. He was a U. S. Air Force veteran, having served during the Korean Conflict at Warren Air Force in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and at the Nato Base in Fountainebleau, France, where they spent the first two years of their marriage. An electrician by trade, James later worked for various electrical companies including Key City Electric in Abilene. He was a member of the I.B.E.W., and for over 50 years a member of the Hobah Masonic Lodge #1394. James served on the Butterfield School Board as a Trustee and later as President of the board. He also served on the View-Caps Water Supply Board and was a member of View Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Willie Ross Ashby, Perry Ashby, J.B. Ashby, and O.H. Ashby, Jr.; and three sisters, Ida Hamby, Lena Kimbel and Ramona Thatcher. James is survived by his wife, Charleen Ashby of View; son, Earl Wayne “Mac” Ashby and wife Barbara of Snyder, Texas; daughters and their spouses, Cova Perrien and Scott of Ellwell, Michigan, Sheryl McClendon and Roy of View, and Carla Meadows and James of Merkel, Texas; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 14, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Pastor John Fanning and Wade Ashby. Burial will follow in Drummond Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be grandchildren Parker Perrien, Melissa Meadows, Amy Roddy, Kyle McClendon, Bret McClendon and Cela Smith. The family expresses special thanks to caregivers Zeek Kelly, Brenda Ezeani, Trea Hall, Encompass Home Health, the nursing staff at Abilene Regional Medical Center, and Apogee Physicians Group. Memorials may be made to Drummond Cemetery Association, 9213 A, FM 1235, Abilene, TX 79606; View Baptist Church, 250 Boynton Rd., Abilene, TX 79606; or the donor’s favorite charity.