Marion E. Hallmark Sr.

Mr. Hallmark was born in St Vrain, New Mexico, October 24, 1925 to P.C. (Ples) & Annette Hallmark.

Shortly after his birth the family moved back to the Bell / Williamson county area of central Texas where he was raised and married the love of his life Birdie Beatrice Wilson on December 28, 1943.

During World War II he served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946 with the 1254th Engineers Combat Battalion, Company B, where he participated in the European – African Middle Eastern Theater of Operations in the battle of Rhineland in Central Europe where he was a sharpshooter.

Mr. Hallmark was awarded the European-African Middle Eastern Theater of Operations Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal and Victory Ribbon.

After serving in the Army, Marion came back to Killeen and worked as a trucker with his brother Horace Boyd then for Brown & Root, Johnson Vending and Ragesdale TV & Appliance where he learned electronics and refrigeration repair. In the late 1950's Marion & Birdie Hallmark started their own family business that started as Service Engineering and would become known as Hallmark Service Company, then Hallmark Heating & Air Conditioning Services Inc. where all five of their children and many of their grandchildren would work during some point of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Hallmark owned and operated several other businesses, to include rental property, custom home construction and pawn shops. Mr. Hallmark was also an avid rancher where he took great pride in converting poor soil & growing conditions into good grazing for his cattle.

Mr. Hallmark was a member of the First Baptist Church of Killeen where he taught Sunday School, worked with the Youth Group and was ordained as a deacon in 1959, a position he served in faithfully for over fifty years. Mr. Hallmark was also a member of several service organizations including the Killeen Exchange Club. In 1990 Marion and Birdie Hallmark were named as the Business Associates of the Year for the Heart of Texas Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. That was the first and only time the honor had be given to a couple

In addition to serving his Country and Church, Mr. Hallmark served his community as the West Ward City Councilman from April 1965 to April 1969 then again from April 1975 through April 1981.

He also served on the Planning & Zoning Commission from 1972 through 1975. In 1979 Marion was appointed to the Bell County Tax Appraisal District where he served on the Board of Directors until 2003.

Preceded in death by his parents P.C. & Annette Hallmark, his loving wife of 61 years Birdie Beatrice Wilson Hallmark, grandson Bobby Hallmark and siblings Mervel Hallmark, Margaret Sharp, Jewel Robinson, Horace Boyd, Floyd Boyd,Viola Wiesman and Lavert Hallmark.

He is survived by his five children; Ellis Hallmark of Palmdale CA, Don Hallmark (and wife Jan) of Moffat TX, Ardis Rider (husband Jim) of Sanger, TX, Phil Hallmark of Florence, TX and Kim Frederick (husband Johnny) of Killeen, TX. One sister Anita Nunn (husband R.L.) of Russellville Arkansas. Eleven Grandchildren: Tara Brown (husband Kevin), Becky Hallmark, Shelly Hallmark, Mike Hallmark, Brook Markley (husband Jerod), Wil Hallmark, Connley Hallmark, Spencer Hallmark, Rob Perkins, Mark Perkins (wife Senada), Micah Perkins. Ten Great grandchildren: Andrick & Keagan Markley, Ella, Gracie, Scarlette & Bristol Brown, Stormy & Hannah Hallmark, Elias & Rakela Perkins.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Mr. Hallmark requested that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Killeen Building Fund or the Music Ministry Fund.