Funeral arrangements for Wilburn Hance, 85, of Jasper, Texas will be held Monday, December 6, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with Bro. Oddie Powell officiating. Military honors will be provided by VFW Post #8568. Interment will follow in the Camp Ruby Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the service begins at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Willie passed peacefully in his sleep and into the arms of Jesus at his home on November 24, 2021. He was born to Eva and Oscar Hance in McAlester, Oklahoma. They moved to Livingston, Texas when he was a child.  He served in the Army and was stationed in France and Germany. After completing his military service and returning to Livingston, he met and married the love of his life, Betty Ogden. They moved to Lufkin, Texas and reared a son, Rayburn and a daughter, Cecily.  Willie attended Massey Business College in Lufkin for 2 years and was then employed by Georgia Pacific until his retirement.  He was also a member of the Pine Bluff Masonic Lodge in Arkansas for over 50 years.  Later in life, Willie and Betty moved to Sam Rayburn, Texas to live closer to their daughter. They were blessed with 53 years of marriage before her passing in 2012.  He is survived by his son, Rayburn Hance and wife, Tina of Lufkin; his daughter, Cecily Bridges and husband, Randy of Brookeland; grandson, Marshall Hance and girlfriend, Brittany Feeney of Hudson; and grandson, Morgan Hance of Lufkin. Willie had a special friend, Helen Zagar of Jasper, Texas. Having a large and loving family, he is survived by sisters, Juanita Dueboay of Spring,Texas, Linda Chimelak of Ville Platte, Louisiana, Dorita Duff of Livingston, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Eva and Oscar Hance, his brothers Orville Junior Hance, Thomas Hance, Kenneth Hance and sisters, Mary Alice Burch, Elizabeth Hooper, Maedean Cardenas and several nieces and nephews.

Willie never met a stranger and has been described as someone who loved life to the fullest.  He enjoyed a good game of dominoes, playing the harmonica, a meal with Helen and loved all little children.  Most of all, he adored his two grandsons, Marshall and Morgan.  They were the light of his life and he never missed a chance to go hunting or fishing with them, listen to them play music or to tell them a funny joke.  He was affectionately known as PawPaw by Marshall, Morgan and the rest of our family.  Above all, he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and faithfully attended Rayburn Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Rayburn Baptist Church, PO Box 5110 Sam Rayburn, TX 75951, or Lake Rayburn Fire Department, PO Box 5291, Sam Rayburn, Texas 75951.