Nola Elizabeth Willingham

Nola Elizabeth Willingham, 83, of Abilene, passed away Sunday, December 16, 2007 at her home. Funeral services, with Dr. Eddie Sharp officiating, will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at University Church of Christ. Burial will follow in the Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 pm today, Tuesday, December 18, in the chapel at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Born Nola Elizabeth Hebbard in Milan, KS, on December 7, 1924, Nola lived most of her life in Abilene, TX. Nola moved to Abilene after graduating high school to attend ACC where she met and married Roy Willingham in June of 1946 after both had graduated from Abilene Christian. They had five children: Mike, Karen, Steve, David, and Becky. Chris, a grandson raised as a son, also called her mom. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Mae Hebbard, her brother Wilmer Hebbard, her daughter Karen Willingham, and a grandson Brent Willingham and her husband of 55 years, Dr. Roy Willingham. She is survived by four children, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. A lifelong member at University Church of Christ, Nola was a frequent hostess over the years, and active in church visitation and caregroups. She could always be counted on to take widows many years junior to their doctor appointments. Her lifelong hobbies were crossword puzzles, houseplants, and yard work, and she enjoyed them up through the last weeks of her life. Memorials can be given to Abilene Christian University, 1600 Campus Court, ACU Station, 79699; Christian Service Center, 901 Mesquite, Abilene, Texas 79601; or to the Abilene State School, 2501 Maple, Abilene, Texas 79602.