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Gary Louis Hiler, 69, of Abilene passed into the arms of his blessed Savior, Thursday, July 23, 2020 from an automobile accident near Amarillo. A private funeral service for the family will be held at 1:30 Tuesday, at Bible Baptist Church with a private graveside ceremony at Elmwood Memorial Park to follow. Gary will be in state for friends viewing at Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde, TX on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Gary was born May 25, 1951 in Abilene, TX to Irvin and Alta (Howk) Hiler. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1969 and from Abilene Christian University in 1974 with his Bachelor of Science Degree. In 1987. He graduated from Patriot University with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Biblical studies. In 1971, he married Janis Mullican in Breckenridge, TX. and remained in that loving marriage for 48 years. He worked as a boiler inspector, supervisor, QC manager and most recently as a State and National Board Certified inspector for OneCIS. Throughout his career, Gary lived and worked in Abilene, Houston, Little Rock, and the Dallas area and traveled to the Philippines, South Korea, Israel and Puerto Rico and numerous cities throughout the USA. He was a member of the American Welding Society and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers where he served as an officer committee member.
Gary was ordained as a minister in 1985 and served by preaching in various nursing homes, jails, a fire station and the Dallas Rescue Mission. In the 1990's Gary joined a team from Arkansas to build a church in Guatemala. He also served as a Sunday School teacher, teaching children, bus teens and several adult classes. He faithfully ministered as a music leader for years and sang in the choir, but Bible study and teaching were his greatest passions. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church of Clyde.
Gary is survived by his wife Janis Hiler of Abilene; two sons, Tommy Hiler and wife April of Sherman and Mark Hiler and wife Natalie of Rowlett; brother Jimmy Hiler and wife Ann of Lubbock; sister Anita Cahoon and husband Rory of Niceville, Florida; two grandchildren, Hailey and Madeline Hiler; six nephews, Phillip Miley, David Miley, Steven Miley, J. Hiler, Aaron Hiler and Bryan Hiler and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Meals on Wheels or the Bible Baptist Church, Benevolence Fund.
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Nancy Dotson (Smallridge)
So sorry here of Gary's dead. May he rest in peace with the Lord. My prayers go out to his family.
Paula Sosebee ((Pope) Carter)
So sorry to see we have lost another classmate.. I did not know Gary personally, but when looking at his photo, he looked familiar...it makes me sorry that I did not really know a lot of my classmates .... when checking to see if he might be on Facebook, I found his FB account and only friend listed that was a fellow AHS classmate was Rita Forte Reeves, and they both lived in Clyde... and as all of you know, Rita passed away a little over a year ago.. Gary had joined this site in the past, and entered his information and added a photo of his family and his occupation... it turns out that my husband actually knew him, as Gary had worked at Rentech Boilers in the past,..where my husband retired from 2 years ago.
Another reminder of how short life can be... My thoughts and prayers go out to Gary's family.
Stan Chapman
Gary's son, Tommy, worked for me at the book bindery while he was at HSU. I had not known Gary well in school but got to know him through his son--even leaning on him to fix one of our machines and he did it very well. Tommy is a drummer and I bought a drum set from him for my son--those were good times. Gary was a man of good character and had a strong faith in God---a really good man. He is now, no doubt, better than ever!
Jo Ann Chitwood (Moore)
I am so sorry to hear of another classmate passing. I did not know Gary very well but what I did know he was always caring. His life sounded so full and happy doing what he loved. He will be missed but we all know that God has promised we will all meet up again someday. Take peace in that. All my prayers to Gary's family and friends. God Bless, JoAnn Chitwood Moore
Bobbie Smith (McLaughlin)
I did not know Gary personally, but do remember him. After reading his life story, all I can say is, "Wow".
He truly lived his life in service to the Lord. What a great mentor by his actions he was to his children and all who knew him.
We all know where he is now, and he had a life well lived. I know that he is definitely missed by many.
Aleta Brown (Caraway)
Gary and I lived just down the street from each other in elementary school. He was always a quiet man, not putting himself out front. It is wonderful to hear the rest of his story. My ondolences to his wife and family.