Robert Austin Hess

Robert Austin Hess, age 91 of Temple, died Wednesday, November 6, 2013 in a local hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home with Revs. Mattie Lee Cox, Jackie Cox and Billy Koinm officiating. Burial will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Heath Winnett, Coley Austin Stephens, Michael Ray, Trey Southerland, James Hess and Ed Cook. Honorary pallbearers are Jeremy Austin Hess, Aaron Hess, Ryker Heath Winnett, Josh Torrez and Mike Stephens. Mr. Hess was born on January 26, 1922 in Bastrop County, Texas to the late Randolph T. Hess and Emma J. Flippo Hess. He attended schools in Rosebud and graduated from Rosebud High School. He worked for Consolidated Aircraft Company in California before enlisting in the U.S. Army in October of 1943. While he was in the Army Robert earned the rank of T/Sergeant. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 stars, Philippines Liberation Victory Medal and Meritorious Service Plaque. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Robert married Eleanor Cox on March 19, 1947. They traveled all the lower 48 states plus Alaska, Canada and Mexico and they enjoyed fishing and cooking together, especially the holiday meals. The holidays were particularly special and he enjoyed spending time with his family at the family ranch, HWH Ranch. He worked for Central Music Company in Killeen for 40 years. Robert was the current president of the Smith Ranch Association. He loved hunting, fishing and the Dallas Cowboys. Robert was a member of the Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jack A. Hess and Gordon Hess and one grandson Jeremy Hess. Robert is survived by his wife of 66 years, Eleanor Cox Hess; a daughter, Carolyn Winnett and husband Starky of Temple; a son, Larry Hess and wife LuAnn of Temple; eight grandchildren, Hollie Winnett Stephens of Haslet, Texas; Heath Winnett and wife Cody of Lake Dallas, Texas; Allison Hess Southerland and husband Trey of Temple; Michael Ray and wife Becca of Youngsport; Courtney Ray Torrez and husband Josh of Austin; Catherine Ray of Austin and Aaron Hess of Temple. Seven great grandchildren, Coley Stephens, Emmalee Stephens, Ryker Winnett, Zachery Austin Southerland, Grace Torrez, Jeremy Witcher and Bryan Ray and his loving, faithful companion, Pepper. Memorials may be given in Robert's name to Scott and White Hospice or to the Building Fund of Faith Temple Lighthouse.