Bill Hodges

Services for Bill Hodges, 83, of Canadian, TX, will be at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jesse Hodge, officiating and Donald Hill and Rev. Danny Sanders, assisting. Burial will follow in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian, TX. Mr. Hodges passed away Saturday, November 21, 2009 in Canadian, TX. Bill was born February 13, 1926 in Roberts County, TX to the late Mr. Oliver Lee Hodges and Mrs. Alma Mae (Brown) Hodges. He was a 1943 graduate of Canadian High School. He then went on to attend Texas A & M University before entering into the United States Army. He was a Veteran of the United States Army serving in World War II. While serving in the service he became Staff Sergeant and also received the Purple Heart. After returning home from the service, he attended the University of Texas. He married Theresia M. Niklas on December 16, 1945 in Windshiem, Germany. Bill was vice president of First State Bank and on the volunteer fire department for 30 plus years where he served as past fire chief. He was partners of Hodges McMordie Pontiac dealership and worked with McMordie Cattle Company. He was a co-founder for the Veterans memorial that is placed outside the Hemphill County Courthouse. Bill was a member of VFW Post 7469 and the American Legion Post 56. He was on various other boards such as, Lions Club, Hemphill County Hospital, Selective Service, Soil Conservation, River Valley Pioneer Museum, the Genealogy Board and was also voted by the Hemphill County Chamber of Commerce in 1995 Man of The Year. He was also a member of Canadian Masonic Lodge #855 A.F. & A.M. and the First United Methodist Church. Bill was involved in Anspacher Commodity trading and later was a ranch owner. He is preceded in death by one brother, Jimmy Hodges. He is survived by his wife, Theresia M. Hodges of Canadian, TX; one son, Ricky Hodges and wife Barbara of Canadian, TX; three daughters, Marie Maupin, Becky Harper and husband Freddie and Beverly Dickinson and husband Bob all of Canadian, TX; three brothers, Don Hodges and wife Freddie of Dallas, TX; Robert Hodges and wife Janis and Gary Hodges and wife Debra all of Amarillo, TX; one sister, Mary Lee McCaffree and husband James R. “Shorty” of Amarillo, TX; his sister-in-law, Joyce Hodges of Richmond, VA; 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. The family suggests memorials to Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S 4th St., Canadian, TX 79014 or First United Methodist Church, 520 Main, Canadian, TX 79014.