James Lewis Springer

James L. Springer, 78, died Sunday, August 13, 2006 in a local hospital. A funeral service, with Reverend Ward Hayes officiating, will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 16 in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, burial will follow in the Belvieu Cemetery in Rotan, Texas under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. There will be a visitation at the Funeral Home from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2006. James was born January 9, 1928 in Aspermont, Texas, the only child of Raleigh Lewis and Golda Jones Springer. He grew up in Aspermont and graduated from Aspermont High School in 1944. After one year at Texas Technological College he enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. He had brought home consent papers for the Marines, but his mother would not sign, so he chose the Navy which required only one parental consent. World War II ended while James was in Boot Camp in San Diego, but he was sent to the Philippines with the occupational forces. Upon discharge, he re-enrolled at Texas Tech and graduated in 1950. Upon graduation, he joined the Farmers and Merchants National Bank in Abilene, Texas which was the predecessor of First Financial Bank. During this time, he married Irene "Priss" Ward on February 2, 1951 at the First United Methodist Church in Aspermont, Texas. In 1955, they moved to Fort Worth where he joined the First National Bank of Fort Worth as a correspondent bank representative traveling West Texas, Western Oklahoma and New Mexico. It was while he was with the Fort Worth Bank that he completed the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. In 1964, James returned to The First National Bank of Rotan where he spent the next thirty one years until his retirement. During this time, he served on the state Board of Directors for the Texas Bankers Association and was later recognized by that board for fifty years uninterrupted service in Texas banking. While in Rotan, James was active in the First United Methodist Church and civic affairs from Little League coach, Chamber of Commerce, President of the Lions Club, Worshipful Master of Rotan Masonic Lodge and Mayor of the City of Rotan. In 1997 James, and his sons established the Ballinger National Bank and he remained Chairman of the Board up to the time of his death. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a grandson, Kyle Springer. Survivors include: his wife, Irene Ward "Priss" Springer of the home; two sons, Raleigh Phillip and wife Donna Springer and Michael David and wife Becky Springer, all of Ballinger, Texas; a daughter, Cynthia Irene Henderson and husband Scott of Abilene, Texas; six grandchildren, Drew Springer and Guy Springer of Ballinger, Texas, Melissa Springer Rogers and husband T.J. of North Richland Hills, Texas, Rachel Henderson and Tanner Henderson of Abilene, Texas and Clay Springer and daughter Alyssa of San Angelo, Texas. Pallbearers are: Chuck Springer, Steve Springer, Glen Springer, Andrew Springer, Ralph Riddel and James Rose. Honorary Pallbearers are: Shirley Clark, Mac Weathersbee, Luther Summers, Bill Day, Garvis Hinson, David Sheffield, Gerald McCaskill, Elwood Freeman, the Abilene Golf Group, and attending members of Wranglers Fraternity. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Hendrick Home for Children, 2758 Jeanette St. Abilene, Texas 79602 or a favorite charity. Online condolences may be sent to: www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com