Lelyn Batt

Lelyn Batt

July 13, 1929-December 19, 2024

Lelyn Batt, 95, of Abilene, went to stroll over heaven with his beloved wife of 74 years, Ella May, on December 19, 2024. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Shattuck, Oklahoma, Lelyn was the oldest of 9 children and was admired and loved deeply by his siblings. He graduated from Shattuck High School and later married the pretty girl in the church choir who he loved at first sight on September 16, 1950. Together they moved to Liberal, Kansas and they served the Lord in the First Baptist Church where he was an ordained deacon and usher. He served in the Army from 1948-1954, attaining the rank of Sergeant. From 1952-58, he worked at Panhandle Eastern and then Beech Aircraft for 21 years. In 1986, he went to work for Topographic Engineering, where he retired in 1992. After intermittently assisting his friend Jerry Evans farming, he then enjoyed delivering vehicles for Stu Emmert before moving to Texas in the spring of 2015 to be near their daughter.

An only-child, Debbie Lynn Batt Riddle, was Lelyn and Ella May’s biggest treasure and they left their Kansas home to be near her in Abilene. The three of them had traveled throughout the United States camping in their RV and later Lelyn loved teaching his grandsons, Aaron and Adam Riddle, to fish and camp. Including the trips taken to support Adam on the baseball field, they were fortunate to have visited 48 states.

He adored his two grandsons and Adam’s wife, Lindsey and his precious great-grandchildren, Joss and Hayes, and his bonus grandson Carlos Sanchez.

Lelyn was proceeded in death by his wife, Ella May Weigand Batt and his parents, Sam and Hulda Batt and five siblings: Rosie Pope, Charlotte Brooks, George Batt, Paul Batt, and Margaret Heil. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Nichols and Pauline Ditto and one brother, Sam Batt.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the wonderful caregivers, Sher, Monica, Destiny, and Kinder Hearts Hospice, who blessed him with their loving compassion. Also, a huge thank you to the staff and residents of Lyndale Abilene Senior Living for their caring support.

Visitation will be on Sunday, December 29, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Graveside service will be at 11:00 am Monday, December 30, 2024, at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 7457 W. Lake Road, Abilene, TX; followed by a memorial service at 12:30 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home.