Ronald G Houlihan

TSgt. Ronald George Houlihan, USAF Ret., 88, of Abilene passed away Friday, December 15 following a struggle with heart disease and kidney failure. Ron was born in Los Angeles, CA on October 6, 1929. His parents were Irene and Ronald Joseph Houlihan of Astoria, OR. While stationed at Dyess, Ron married Joyce Kelsey in 1958. Together with their four children, this military family lived many places. During his 23 years in the Air Force, Ron served in Texas, Greenland, Illinois, Korea, Japan, South Dakota, Turkey, California, Germany, Louisiana, England, Indiana, and 3 tours in Vietnam as a Morse code operator and later was a radio operator on numerous aircraft and strategic missions earning several military honors.

After retiring in 1972, the family moved to Abilene where Ron worked at the Abilene State School (now State Assisted Living Center).  Ron enjoyed all types of music, bowling, darts, VFW bingo, camping, fishing and card games.  He was a little league umpire and was honored with a lifetime membership in the Abilene Umpires Association.

A service honoring his life will be held Wednesday December 20, 2017 at 11:30 am in the chapel at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.  A graveside service with full military honors will follow at 1:00 pm in the Texas State Veteran Cemetery.  A visitation with the family will be held beginning at 10:30 am prior to the service on Wednesday.

Children include son Donald (dec.) and wife Pauline Houlihan, daughter Nita and husband Al Keesee, son Dwayne (dec.) and wife Cindy Houlihan, and son Terry Houlihan. Grandchildren are Amanda Sellers, Jeff Keesee, Cassie Collazo, Tammy May, and Michael May as well as great-grandchildren Dylan, Jackson, Brittany, Baylie, and Trystan.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Keesee, Tony Poor, James Kelsey, Russell Kelsey, Tony Collazo, and Tyrone Douglas. A special thanks to Dr. Van Acht and friends at Northern Oaks and Kinder Hearts Hospice.  Donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org . Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.