(July 15, 1928 – May 2, 2022)
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James Donald “Don’ Hefner, born July 15, 1928, in Hico, Texas to parents Olmer and Zula (Hughes) Hefner, passed away in Hico, Texas on May 2, 2022, at age 93. Don grew up in Hico with his two older brothers, Raymond and O.W., and graduated from Hico High School. When WWII broke out, Don’s brothers both joined the Navy, but Don was still in high school, so couldn’t enlist and join them in service. With school bus drivers in short supply however, the school district pressed Don into service for the community, as a school bus driver. The district helped him to get the necessary state license, and so Don drove the school bus during his last two years at Hico High. Don turned 17 just two months before WWII ended, so he never enlisted.
Don married Willa Dean Hancock in 1948 and they set up home in Hico, where they later welcomed their son Ronald Ted Hefner, whom they raised in Hico. Don lived his entire life in Hico, where he was beloved and known as an entertaining storyteller, someone who never met a stranger, and a very sentimental man who was always ready to lend a helping hand. He owned an egg candling business, and later worked many years for Sprint, retiring at the age of 71. Don had a love of antiques, especially clocks, and collected wall and grandfather clocks. He enjoyed bartering for a good deal, loved to talk, and genuinely loved people.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Willa Dean Hefner; son, Ronald Ted Hefner; brothers, O.W. Hefner and Raymond Hefner; niece, Mary Ellen Hefner; and great-nephew, Shawn Patrick Hefner.
Surviving Don are his grandchildren, Lindsey Hefner and Marcus J. Hefner; great-grandchildren, Aubrey Hefner, Parker Hefner, and Penelope Hefner; nieces and nephews, Emma K. Vickers, Richard Hefner, Julia McMillin, Susan Stone, Henry Hefner, Pat Hefner, and George Hefner.
Visitation 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May, 14 2022 at Harvest Hills Funeral Home in Hico, Texas. Graveside Service 11:30 a.m. at Hico Cemetery.
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