Gene 'Gene-O' Aaron Hileman

Gene was born in 1931 in Beaumont to Joe and Odie Hileman. After starting his family in Kingsville, he moved to Austin in 1957 so son Tommy could attend Austin School for the Deaf. Gene worked for Charles Maund Automotive from 1957 to 1981, when he opened Hileman Automotive. While working at Charles Maund, he met Peggy Sue Hill, his soul mate for 33 years. After retiring in 1990, Gene and Peggy bought a second home at Bajia Bay in Rockport, where he loved to fish off his back porch and take family and friends bay and deep sea fishing. Gene also loved to hunt, where he spent many years with his sons, brothers and friends gathered around the camp fire, telling stories. After Peggy’s passing in 1999 of ovarian cancer, Gene moved full time to Rockport, where he found joy in meeting new friends, traveling, gambling on the offshore gambling boat, and watching the dogs run at the Corpus Christi Dog Track.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; sister Betty Hileman; and wife Peggy. He is survived by brothers Marvin and Cecil “Tiny” Hileman; sons and their spouses, Billy and Kim; Tommy; Jimmy and Sandy Hileman; and Johnny Harris; grandkids, Mike, Missy, Micky, Morgan and Brooke Hileman, and David, Jennifer, and Amanda Harris; 8 great-grandchildren, and special friend Anna Shockley Herrera.

The family would like to thank Gene’s neighbors and friends at Bajia Bay, and especially Anna and her large family, who welcomed Gene with open hearts into their own family. Anna loved and helped care for Gene until his passing. Angels do abound.

There will be a visitation for family and friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 2, 2010 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, Pflugerville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 3, 2010 in the Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home with burial following at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society.

You are invited to share your memories of Gene with his family at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,

love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~ Unknown