Louis D Stites

Louis David Stites breathed his first breath of life on May 14, 1938 and was welcomed into this world by his parents Hazel Irene Hall Stites and George Walter Edward Stites in Bakersfield, California. He breathed his last breath of life on July 8th, 2018 with the love of his life his wife Mary and his two children, exactly where he loved and wanted to be in his home in Abilene, at the glorious age of 80.

Louis grew up in Kiowa, OK where he attended school and graduated from Kiowa High School.

He met and married the love of his life and soulmate Mary Sorrels on November 23, 1957 in Kiowa, OK.  Together they had two children daughter Ellen and son Kenneth.  He provided and took care of the needs of his family by working for American Can Company for 30 years as well as the University of Texas in Arlington where he retired after 16 years. When he was blessed with grandchildren he became known to most as Bucko.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Arlington as well as the Knights Templar.  He loved to square dance and was a member of the Wagon Wheel Squares.

He was proud and spoke often about his Potawatomi Indian Heritage. Louis loved history, travel and tinkering around the farm.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother.

He is survived by his wife Mary Stites, daughter Ellen Thomas and husband Bill, son Kenneth Stites and wife Karran, 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, on Thursday, July 12, from 6:30-8:00PM. 

We will celebrate his life with a funeral service on Friday, July 13, at 11:00AM at Hodges Baptist Church where he was a member. Rev. Matt Cheevers and Chaplain Chris Hale will officiate.  

Burial will be in the Midway Cemetery in Hodges. As a final act of love and respect, he will be carried to his final resting place by his grandsons Cody Stites, Matthew Thomas, Nathan Thomas, Gavin Stites, Chris Brown, Andy Cline, Josh Bonebrake, Colin Griffith, Billy Jones