Hillary Espree

Born in 1926 in the farming community of Beaver, near Mamou, Louisiana, Hillary was the third child of Edwin Espree and Cydonia Fontenot Espree. Affectionately known as Ray by family and friends, Hillary was taught his sacraments and catechism by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, who also inspired his profound spirituality. He was drafted into the U.S. Army at age 18 and sent to Japan, where he served his country during World War II. In 1947, he returned home for a brief time before moving to Houston, Texas to work for Sheffield Steel, which later became Armco Steel.

During his employment he worked several positions, starting out in the labor pool for several years. Due to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he along with other minorities were able to move into positions in plant operations and were compensated back pay for all the years they were discriminated against because of their race. He worked as a shearer, an inventory specialist, and an overhead crane operator. After 36 years with the company, he retired in 1986 due to the closing of the plant. He then went on to work for Proler Industries as a crane operator. His final job was as a doorman at Fifty-Fifty Woodway Condominiums where he loved getting to know the residents that he served.

In 1950, he married Mary Magdalene LaChapelle of Raywood, Texas. Blessed with a new wife and a growing family, this proud veteran would join Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in 1953. At the time of his death, on September 10, 2024, he had been a member of the parish for 71 years. The family settled in Galena Manor on Sage Drive in Galena Park, Texas in 1954, which became their family home and still is today. It has been the humble home of his family for 70 years. By 1959, seven children were born into the family. As the family continued to grow, Hillary and Magdalene’s family would include 12 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Hillary was a member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver Council #139 for sixty-six years and the Knights of Columbus Council # 803 for several years. As a founding member of Council #139 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, he supported this distinguished order of men by serving as Deputy Grand Knight, Chaplain, Chairperson of the Elections, Nominating and Scholarship Committees and served as the council delegate to the many state conferences. Hillary served as a Third Degree Knight of St Peter Claver and as a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of St. Peter Claver, Father John H. Dorsey Assembly #2 and was a founding member of the Messieurs et Madame Social Club.

As a dedicated parishioner and community leader, Hillary supported the effort to keep his Catholic faith and church vigorous and undiminished. Over the years, he led by example to encourage more adults and young people to serve the church community. Education was very important to him, be it providing a Catholic education for his children to the accomplishment of getting his General Education diploma.

For many years, he served as a Eucharistic Minister and brought Communion to shut-ins and the sick in nursing homes. He served as president of the Parish Council, as a member of the Holy Name Society and volunteered for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Hillary organized the first blood drive at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, which was sustained for decades because of his leadership and organizational skills. He would also help to organize and cultivate the Galena Manor neighborhood community vegetable garden for several years. During his 70’s and 80’s, he continued to volunteer for the church’s annual bazaars and Lenten fish fries. Hillary was a member of The Metropolitan Organization of Houston (TMO), an organization created in 1980 to give a voice to the people who are usually excluded from major decisions that affect their lives.

As an older man, he lived as a witness to the mysteries of his life and his faith. It was during these years that he became a more mindful, contemplative man, someone who quietly reflected on his life, his family, and his relationship with God. Daily, he graciously prayed for the needs of his family and others.

Hillary loved dancing to waltzes, the Zydeco two-step, and fais do-dos, while listening to his favorite Zydeco musicians, especially when they sang in the French Creole patois of his childhood. His favorite hobby was reading. He loved to learn about and discuss history, politics, and the world by reading his favorite publications which included the Houston Chronicle and several Catholic and secular publications including America Magazine, the Jesuit publication with a Catholic take on world politics and social issues. He often shared religious and secular articles and prayers with his family and friends. He was the keeper of generational memories and values and liked to converse with us about family stories, history, and genealogy. “I’m most proud to have lived long enough to see Barrack Obama become President of the United States of America.” He said this often when he discussed politics and his beloved Democratic Party.

As a devoted father and Catholic Christian, he inspired his children and others by witnessing his faith to live as faithful servants of the Lord. His life aspirations for himself were fulfilled in his devotion to his children, his extended family and all Christians and all people. His dream for his children was for them to become more Christlike as they aged and grew in their faith. Hillary often told his 12 grandchildren to live their lives by going to church, receiving all their sacraments, and praying ceaselessly. He hoped they would each become learned servant leaders and manifest God’s grace all their days on earth.

If Hillary Espree could speak to us today, he would say:

“I have lived a good life and God has been good to me. I loved my wife and my children, one no more than the other, but each in his or her own special way. It is important to me that they know how much I loved each one of them. I want them to know that I did everything I knew to do for them. They have all made me proud. I want them to know they have everything they need to live a good life. They need to know I left them here to live on for me because I lived on for them and now, I am within them. They are the best I have to give this world. I ask God to make them better people every day they live, better than they were the day before. I want them to be good to each other. They need each other more than they understand. Each one of them is an exceptional person. I know they wanted to please me and Momma. There was a lot I didn’t realize until I got older, but I did my best.”

Hillary was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Mary Magdalene, his infant daughter Rosa Marie, his parents, four siblings and his great-grandchildren, Parish, Eleanor, and Lincoln Auzenne of Deer Park, Texas.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his children Jacqueline T. Espree, Edward L. Espree (Deborah), Mary H. Auzenne (Stephen), Rene’ J. Espree (Mildred), Angela Daniel (James), James A. Espree, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, his brothers-in-law

James F. LaChapelle (Aneva) and John R. LaChapelle, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

“In the end, he died like he lived – thoughtfully and contentedly -- on his terms, with a quiet, and profound grace.” ~ Mildred Espree.