Allen Wiley Peebles, 89, of Livingston, Texas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2014. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014, from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m., at the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston. Funeral services will be held at Central Baptist Church on Sunday, September 14, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. Burial will immediately follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Allen was born in Livingston, Texas, on September 20, 1924, to Wiley and Addelle Peebles. He graduated from Livingston High School in 1941. Allen then proudly served his country in the G-3 Section (Plans and Operations) of the U.S. 9 ^th Army in the European Theater of Operations with the rank of sergeant. When his tour of duty ended, he attended The University of Texas at Austin where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Allen was married to his beloved wife, Betty Sewell Peebles, on June 4, 1949. During their 65-year marriage, they shared many interests including bridge, golf, tennis, world travel, mountain hiking in the Colorado Rockies, and taking their grandchildren to Walmart to teach them the value of a dollar. He adored his family and shared President George H. W. Bush's sentiment that the proudest thing in his life was that his children still wanted to come home.

Allen was employed by First National Bank of Livingston in 1948 serving in various capacities including teller, accountant, loan officer, president (1953 to 1986), and Chairman of the Board (1986 until his death). Allen also served as Secretary-Treasurer and on the Board of Directors of The Livingston Telephone Company.

During his life he was involved in numerous civic activities such as serving on the Livingston City Council for 25 years, and serving as president of various organizations including the Polk County Chamber of Commerce, Livingston Lions Club, Polk County Oratorio Society, and Polk County Consolidated Funds Drive. He served on the founding Board of Directors of the Region VI Education Service Center and as chairman of both the Dogwood District of the Boy Scouts of America and the first Polk County Forestry Festival. He served on the original Board of Directors of the Babe Ruth Little League and also served on the Board of Directors of Polk County Hospital and the Polk County Library-Museum, Inc.

Allen served as a deacon and choir member of Central Baptist Church of Livingston. He was the longest running member of the church at the time of his death.

In 1951 he was selected Polk County Man of the Year, and in 1994 was recipient of the Lions International Melvin Jones Fellowship. He was also chosen as an Outstanding Graduate of Livingston High School.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents, Wiley and Addelle Peebles. He is survived by his wife, Betty; sisters, Nell Wilkerson, Jean Maxwell, Ruth Peebles, and Ann Cunningham and husband Harold; daughters, Leslie Jones and husband Mike, Meredith Miller and husband Jim, Laurie Gupton and husband Ronnie; six grandchildren, Clint Jones and wife Robin, Andrew Jones and wife Kelly, Spencer Jones and wife Avery, Jamie Villarreal and husband Josh, Meg Scott and husband Lee, Jonathan Gupton and wife Emily; and five great grandchildren.

Donations may be made to the building fund for Central Baptist Church of Livingston.