W. Rufus Sivley

W. Rufus Sivley, 90, a longtime Abilene resident and building contractor passed away on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, in Abilene. The son of Dr. Walter Register Sivley and Allie Wilson Sivley, Rufus was born on September 26, 1922 in El Paso, Texas. He was an Abilene High School graduate and attended Hardin Simmons University before graduating from Rice University in 1947. Serving in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Rufus was an aviation cadet and served active duty as a pilot instructor. He also worked as a carpenter on Camp Barkley near Abilene. Rufus became well- known for his quality building, having constructed numerous commercial buildings and beautiful homes in Abilene with the utmost integrity. Among his many contributions were the Timex Building (now Blue Cross Blue Shield), First Christian Church Sanctuary, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, and McMurry University Gymnasium. He was a member of Homebuilders Association in the 1950’s (President, 1953), and served on the Boards of both Abilene Country Club (President, 1955) and Citizens National Bank (later InterFirst Bank). A member of First Christian Church, Abilene, Rufus attended and served the church in various capacities. Rufus celebrated 62 years of marriage with the love of his life, Lura Mae (Muffet) Free, whom he married in 1944. She preceded him in death on March 26, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Earlene Brown. Rufus is survived by three sons and their wives, David Sivley and Judy of Abilene, Roger Sivley and Mary of Buffalo Gap, and Mark Sivley and Judy of Abilene; one sister, Elinor Burditt of College Station, Texas; eleven grandchildren, Rachelle, Leah, Matthew, Jonathan, Johnny, Amy, Daphne, Audra, Rene, John and Keri; and two great-grandchildren, Christian and Brooklynne, as well as a niece and nephews, Gayle Brown Hansen, Jeff Brown, Charles Burditt and Jesse Burditt. The private graveside service in Elmwood Memorial Park will be followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 20, at First Christian Church, Abilene with Dr. Don Wilson and Dr. Phil Christopher officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will greet friends after the memorial service. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 1420 N. 3rd Street, Abilene, TX 79601, or the donor’s favorite charity.