Leo Neil Hall

Leo Neil Hall, age 92 of Abilene, passed away on Sunday July 17, 2022.  A memorial service will be held on August 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Northwest Church of Christ, 1141 N. Willis, under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.  Meal will follow service in the church Fellowship Hall.

Neil was a longtime resident of Abilene. In 1976 he moved here to become a sales and service representative for AAA Office Coffee Service. He retired from the coffee service in 2001. Neil was an active and devoted member of the Northwest Church of Christ and served as an elder there from 2001 until this year. In 2001, Neil was introduced to the Bowen Technique, which is a gentle, non-invasive technique that empowers the body’s own healing response. He was certified in this practice and continued doing this for the rest of his life. In his words, “Bowen is the best retirement I could have ever imagined”.  With this practice he also studied and introduced to others the importance of using natural alternative medicine. He prayed with his clients and helped them to understand that their brain was the blueprint to the body, which God designed to heal itself. He demonstrated positive thinking and instructed others to do so as well. Neil was a very hard worker in everything, he had a strong work ethic and was always being a good neighbor, helping others. He never complained and never judged anyone. He spent most of his life on several Sundays a month preaching in small congregations that needed help. He taught and lived Matthew 22: 37-39 where Jesus said that the first and greatest commandment is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. He practiced this daily and loved his neighbors. He was always planting flowers in their yard and talking about Jesus. Neil was a fine example of a Christian man, even with the struggles and burdens he had with ALS at the end of his life. The name “Neil” means champion, and he proved that in his life with all the hardships of this ALS disease that took over. His words, about 2 weeks before he passed were from 2 Timothy 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.

Neil was born in Ralls, Texas on June 17, 1930 to Jesse & Clarice Hall.  Neil married Melba Jean Hayes (deceased in 2017) in 1956 and the marriage ended in 1976. They had 4 children; Kerry Hall & wife Carol of Ohio, Wynona Barton & husband Tim of Arvada, Colo., Kevin Hall & wife Barbara of Abilene, Tx., and Mike Hall & Linda of Mesquite.  Neil married Judith Latham (deceased in 2020) in 1983 and her children became a very big part of his life and he of theirs. Stepchildren include Sherry Gutierrez of Abilene, Cameron Latham of Abilene, Holly Plant(deceased) & Husband Rory of New Zealand, and Daniel Latham of Abilene.  Grandchildren are Amanda Hall, Kristy Ancheta & husband Jason of Clyde, Christopher & wife Chelsea of Abilene, and Drew Hall & Karlie of San Marcos.  Step Grandchildren are Jessica Harvey of Florida, Thomas Gutierrez of Abilene, and Leslie Latham of Austin.  Great Grandchildren are Taylor Ancheta, Trip Ancheta, Faith Hall, Jase Hall, Hadleigh Hall, Barrett Hall, Eagan Hall & Harvest Hall.

He is survived by his two sisters Carol Rowell and Bobbie Hall and lots of nephews and nieces.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.