Lester Tauey Cheney

Lester Tauey Cheney Longtime Abilene resident Lester Cheney passed from this life on May 22, 2016 from kidney cancer. He was born May 1, 1930 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Raymond and Alleta Hollis Cheney. He grew up in Longview, Texas and graduated from Longview High School in 1948. He told the story of playing football against Marshall High School and their hotshot quarterback Y.A. Tittle a future NFL Hall of Famer-- lamenting that they never beat them. He was always interested in mechanics and he often laughed about hotwiring the rumble seat in his car and giving the folks in the back a jolt. A quiet man who enjoyed building, he built the home that they shared for over 25 of their 55 year marriage. After moving to Abilene in the late 1950's to work in the oil industry, he met and married Eloise Hudson Briley on August 4, 1961. He also worked at M&G GMC before retiring from Salta Pipe Company after many years. Lester was a longtime member of Crescent Heights Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife Eloise, stepchildren Vicki Briley-White and husband Jim of Dallas, Robert O. Briley and his wife Lou of Abilene, Belinda Briley Blair of Dallas, and Kim Briley Dickenson and her husband Michael of Abilene. Daughters Brenda Cheney Rhode of Plano and Pam Cheney Smith and husband Skeet of Sweetwater also survive him. Grandchildren: Zach Briley of Abilene, Parker Briley and wife Sara of Dallas, Hunter Blair of Dallas, Samuel Dickenson of Austin, Alexandra Blair of Austin, Connor Dickenson of Aurora, Colorado, Marty Smith and wife Lauren of Corpus Christi, Harmony Smith of Fort Worth, Tyler Smith of Sweetwater, Linda Stark of Weatherford, Brian Rhode, Kip and Sean Rhode. Great Grandchildren: John Preston Briley of Dallas, Brody and Mackenzie Smith of Corpus Christi, Elijah and Lucas Smith of Fort Worth, Krysten and Taiden Smith, Brittany, Dillan and Caleb Ann Young of Austin, Paul, Cody and Hannah. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be 1:30 PM on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Abilene with Dr. Phil Christopher and Rudy Fambrough officiating. Burial will follow in the Dewey Cemetery in South Taylor County. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Lester's name to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas.