Ezra Hayward Meeks

Ezra H. "Babe" Meeks, 97, passed away on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at a local nursing center. Funeral services will be 2:00p.m., Saturday, July 14, 2012 in the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7p.m. at the funeral home.

Ezra was born on May 3, 1915 to Mervyn and Rubie Cannon Meeks in Ovalo, TX. In 1939, he entered the U.S. Army when it looked like America was going to war. He was stationed in Texas before he was shipped to the Pacific where he fought the Japanese Army for four years. At the end of two years, he earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant while in the Pacific serving in the 112 Horse Calvary. He also served in the New Britain and New Guinea Leyte Luzon Battles. Ezra was discharged in 1944 and returned home to Abilene.

In 1956 he moved to Kansas City, Missouri and became National Director of Membership of Veterans of Foreign Wars at the National Office in Kansas City, serving from 1956 to 1983. He later retired from the VFW and returned to Abilene with his wife, Kay. Ezra was a Baptist.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister, Lillian Meeks and brother, Rennon Meeks.

Survivors include his wife, Kay Meeks of Abilene; his daughter, Tonya Hagood of Dallas; his brother, Glen Meeks of Abilene; one niece; and two nephews.

Donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 149 N. Willis, Abilene, TX 79603.