Sidney Ray Peel

Sidney Ray Peel was born the oldest child and only son of S.H. (Sidney Hood) and Tennie Elmore Peel on September 23, 1930, in Spade, a community near Littlefield. He passed from this life in his home on November 21, 2014. Family visitation will be on Sunday, November 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A service will be held on Monday, November 24, at Broadview Baptist Church at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Wes Terry officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. In 1941, at the age of 11, Ray was baptized alongside his father in a stock tank in the community of McCoy near Floydada. He was a member of Broadview Baptist Church. As a young boy, he lived with his family in the communities of Spade, McCoy, Morton Valley, and in Eastland, Texas. He graduated from Eastland High School in 1947 and attended trade school in Fort Worth. Ray married Wanda Hagar in 1951; together they had four children. In 1964, he married Marlene Williams, and they had one son. Throughout his lifetime, Ray held a wide variety of jobs. Most were not long term positions but more of what he called “life-training.” He delivered block ice, drove trucks and even worked on an oil pipeline around Utah. The majority of Ray’s work was as a television repairman at Thornton’s Department Store. There, he met his longtime, dear friend Ray Rodriquez, or “Ray Rod.” In 1979, Ray started Color Vision Rental System in Abilene. He sold the business and retired in 1999. In 1978, Ray married Wanda Eddins. They were married for 35 years at the time of her death in 2013. The couple lived in Abilene, on Lake Brownwood, and for a few years in Weatherford before returning home to Abilene in 2011. If you knew Ray Peel, you knew he was slow to speak – but never lost his quick sense of humor. His hearty laugh could fill a room. He was a talented woodworker from his early years. He enjoyed reading, old-time country music, the Texas Rangers, and traveling, especially in his motorhome. At the time of his death, there were only seven states he had not visited. Ray was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his two dear sisters, LaVonne (Bonnie) Lovelace of Austin and Sara Peel of Eastland, and his sister-in-law Pat Vallas of California; his five children, Mike and Linda Peel of Abilene, Wayne and Toni Peel of Marble Falls, Lesa and Steve Hertel of Abilene, Gena Muehlstein of San Angelo, and Daryl Peel of Houston; niece Susan Cooper and nephews Danny West, Ronny West, and Randy West; three step-children: Karen and Terry Roberts of Abilene, Dale Eddins of Cross Plains, and Teressa and Jim Francisco of Corinth. As a grandparent, Ray was known by a variety of names, from Grandpa and PeePaw to Gaga. He is survived by 18 grandchildren: Brittany Lewis, Jeff Peel, Kevin Peel, Jared Peel, Mikelle Furman, Justin Hertel, Brennan Peel, Bradley Peel, Sydney Muehlstein, Riley Hertel, Abby Muehlstein, Bailey Muehlstein, Courtney Tally, Cory Tally, Kendra Carter, Lacey Moore, Callie Fehr and Paige Kirk. He was also a proud great-grandparent of 19 children and even a great-great grandfather of one. His children wish to specially thank his sisters Bonnie and Sara for their devotion and care for him during his illness. Their time away from their own lives, friends, home and family is greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605; Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, Texas 79601; or a charity of the donor's choice.