Jim W. Mitchell, 89, of Llano died Jan. 23, 2016
Jim W. Mitchell passed away Jan. 23, 2016, six days before his 90th birthday. He was born in Pecatonica, Illinois, on Jan. 29, 1926, to Eugene and Esther Mitchell.
He joined the Marine Corp at the age of 17 and was an expert rifleman for all four years he was enlisted. He served in the South Pacific Marshall Islands and Ieshema and Okinawa, Japan. He was extremely proud of his Marine Corp service.
In 1946, he married Liz Shaw. They had a family of five boys: Mike, Steve, Scott, Jeff and Buck. Working for Warren Petroleum and being transferred each year, Jim and family made their way to Houston by way of Rockford, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Alexandria, Virginia; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jim was in the real estate business during the late 1960s, was an Amway distributor for about 40 years and later worked for the Llano Cabinet Co. for 20 years. Jim retired from the Cabinet Co. at the age of 85.
He was a member of Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church, the PEP class and the Mission Committee. He was also a beloved usher. After much prodding by Dr. David Hoerster, he became the 1999 lay leader on the walk to Emmaus, which changed his life forever.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Eugene and Esther Mitchell; brothers Harlan Keith and Paul Wayne; sons Michael Eugene and Steven Lee; and grandsons Jon Lee, James Fred and Eric Mitchell.
Jim is survived by his wife, Liz; sons Scott Wayne and wife Debbie, Jeffrey Keith and wife Christy and Bradley Warren and wife Jo Ann; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is Jan. 26 at Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 307 E. Sandstone in Llano, (325) 247-4300. A funeral service is 2 p.m. Jan. 27 at Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Leslie Tomlinson officiating.
Memorials may be made in Jim’s name to the charity of your choice or the Lutie Watkins Methodist Church Mission Committee.
Email whhfuneral1@verizon.net with condolences.