Jerry Wendell Marshall

Jerry Wendell Marshall, age 66, of Abilene, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Hendrick Medical Center after a long illness. Visitation will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, on Sunday, November 20, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 9:30 A.M. with Gerald Cumby of Burleson, TX officiating. Burial will at 11:00 A.M. at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 7457 W. Lake Road, Abilene, TX. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Jerry was born in Abilene to Doyle and Lota Marshall on September 23, 1950. He was a 1970 graduate of Abilene High School. Jerry was retired after 16 years with the Abilene State Supported Living Center. He had a true endearment and respect for the clients he served. Many of his clients would call him "Papa." He would take them shopping, a local Friday night football game, and even a Texas Rangers baseball game. He was a Vietnam War veteran and served honorably in the US Navy. Much of his enlistment was sailing on a frigate, the USS Cochrane, along with his brother Johnny. While in the Navy he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Combat Action Ribbon, and the Navy Unit Commendation. Jerry was preceded in death by his dad, Doyle Marshall, brothers, Billy Marshall and Johnny Marshall, and niece, Kelli Marshall. Jerry is survived by his mother, Lota Marshall of Abilene, sister, Cindy Jeter of Abilene, brothers and their spouses, Bob and Donna Marshall of Abilene, Don and Diana Marshall of Houston, and Randy and Karen Marshall of Austin and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be nephews, Jason Marshall, Justin Jeter, Jake Jeter, Jarod Jeter, Denny Marshall and cousin, Ken Faircloth. Honorary pallbearers will be friends, David Jeter, Tommy Laughlin, Rusty Greer, JC Walden, and Jack Vallance. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the American Cancer Society, 3402 N. First Street, Abilene, TX, or a local charity of your choice. The Marshall family wishes to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Matthew Wick and Dr. Rhett Lohman and all the countless nurses at HMC for their compassionate care of Jerry over the last several weeks.