Roy Wayland Kesler

Roy Wayland Kesler, 70, went to be in the arms of his loving Savior on Tuesday, December 23, 2008. A private graveside service will be held in Zephyr on Monday, December 29, 2008 followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2008 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Wayland was born April 8, 1938 in Brownwood to Harvey Kesler and Alma McArthur Kesler. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1956 and went to SMU on a four year track scholarship where he lettered all four years. He was a member of the Mustang Club and Lettermans Association. He graduated in 1960 with a Bachelors Degree in Finance and Marketing. After graduating from SMU he served six months in active duty at Fort Ord, California. He then joined the National Guard in Austin, Texas. In 1961, he began working for GMAC, where after 35 years he retired. During those years, Wayland worked for GMAC in Austin, San Antonio, Kerrville, Arlington, New York City, Thousand Oaks, California, Lubbock, Kansas City, England, and lastly, Chicago, Illinois, where he retired as regional manager. After retiring, Wayland returned home to Texas. Wayland married Shirley Turner on June 2, 1962 in Abilene at St. Paul United Methodist Church. He was a member of St. Paul UMC for many years, where he served as an usher. Wayland was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years and was an avid sportsman and golfer. Wayland was a very loving husband, father and was loving known as "Texas Papa" to his granddaughters. He had a smile that welcomed all who knew him and a heart large enough to include all who were blessed to know him. He adored his daughters and granddaughters. Wayland was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Shirley Kesler; two daughters, Kelli Jeffcott and her husband Dennis, and Kim Borup and husband Timm; three grandchildren, Sara Jeffcott, Peyton Borup and Holly Borup; two sisters, Grace Enlow and her husband Roger, and Karen Whitten and her husband Sam; two aunts, Cordelia Carter and Oleta Kesler; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends. The family would like to offer special thanks to Jay Hobbs, Delores Garcia and all of the special friends who cared for Wayland. Memorials may be made in honor of Wayland Kesler to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 525 Beech Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; Windcrest Alzheimer's Care Center, 6050 Hospital Drive, Abilene, Texas 79606; Sears Methodist Hospice, 3233 South Willis, Abilene, Texas 79605; or to Meals on Wheels, 717 North 10th Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.