Willie Joe Largent

Bill J. Largent, Jr., 87, of Abilene passed away Saturday, July 24, 2010 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am today, Tuesday July 27, 2010 at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. Rev. Stan Allcorn and Dr. Jeff Reid will officiate. There will be a private burial for family. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Bill was born in Merkel, Texas on April 12, 1923 to Willie Joe and Clara Mae (Saffle) Largent. He graduated from Merkel High School and attended Hardin-Simmons University for three years and graduated from North Western University in Chicago. Bill served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Ernestine Haines on May 14, 1944 in Merkel. All of his life, Bill worked as a cattleman and a rancher. He was also a land broker for McClure Realtors. Bill was a member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. Preceding him in death were his parents and one grandson, Taylor Largent on April 1, 2006. Bill is survived by his wife, Ernestine Largent, of Abilene; one son, William J. "Jay" Largent, of New Braunfels; two daughters, Janie Largent Green and husband Johnny, of Granbury, and Julia Baurichter and husband Steve, of Columbia, Missouri; one sister, Frances Eiland, of Clayton, New Mexico; six grandchildren, Trey Green and wife Leigh Anne, John Green and wife Sarah, Russell Baurichter and wife Adriane, Matthew Baurichter and wife Mallory, Anna Baurichter and Jody Largent. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Larry Riney, Roger Bauernfeind, Bill Fowler, Clarence Tucker, Jake Smith and Omer Hancock. The family suggests memorials to be made to Antioch Ministries International (in support of his grandson Trey Green who serves on the foreign mission field) 505 North 20th Street, Waco, TX 76707; or to "The Mission Ministry" at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 South Pioneer Drive, Abilene, TX 79605.