Jimmy Dean Denio

Jimmy Dean Denio, 77 of Abilene, passed away at a local nursing home on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. Funeral services will be held at the Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road, on Monday, May 9, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. with burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery. A visitation with the family will be on Sunday, May 8, 2016 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Jimmy was born on August 25, 1938 in the small community of Liberty in Erath County to Clinton and Alma Jean Denio. Jimmy grew up in Stephenville, Texas and would have been the valedictorian of his high school class, but chose to enlist in the U.S. Navy and see the world. He served as a radio man on the U.S.S. Roosevelt from January of 1957 to August of 1959. Upon his discharge from service, he returned to the states and eventually found his way back to Texas, where he started working for the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier and a mail clerk.

On May 8, 1981, Jimmy married Wanda Doshier in Corsicana, Texas and moved around the state until they relocated to Abilene and opened a series of antique stores called "Lookin' Back." Jimmy enjoyed finding, fixing and restoring old items. He was a man who enjoyed his family, his friends and his life. Jimmy and Wanda were long time members of the Southern Hills Church of Christ.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton and Alma Jean Denio, and a brother, Jene Denio and sister Freda Sims. He is survived by his wife Wanda Denio; sons Mike Denio and wife Liz of Gatesville, Texas and Tommy Denio and wife Kim of Temple, Texas; daughter Tammy Hill of Stephenville, Texas; step-sons Ronnie Gaines and wife Terry of Lockhart, Texas and Gary Gaines and wife Wanda of Stephenville; and grandchildren Christie, Crystal, Kaci, Trent, Samuel, Andrew, Joey, Taylor and Mason.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Christian Service Center. Condolences can be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneralfirectors.com.