Hillery Eugene "Butch" Canon Jr.

Celebration of the Life of
Hillery Eugene "Butch" Canon
March 21, 1944, God blessed us with Hillery Eugene Canon, Jr. who became our Butch. Butch was born in Brownwood, TX. to Hillery Canon, Sr. and Doris Canon. Butch moved to Heaven on January 29, 2024, at the age of 79 years, 10 months, 8 days. The Celebration of his Life will be held February 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM, at First United Methodist Church-Round Rock 1004 N. Mays 78664. There will be a "Meet and Greet" starting at 1:00 PM in the Narthex of the church. The service will be live-streamed at https://fumcrr.online.church/
Now for the rest of his life. In 1947, he was joined by sister, Sherry Lynn. The Canon's moved on to Austin, Tx in 1950, then on to Lampasas in 1953. In 1954 the Canon family moved to their grandparents' ranch outside of Dripping Springs, Tx. While living at the ranch, in 1959, they moved into the big city of Dripping Springs!
While attending DSHS, Butch enjoyed all sports, academics, participated in Future Farmers of America (FFA), and loved church activities at First Baptist Church (FBC-DS). Sports: Butch played all of them and loved the lifetime relationships built with team members and coaches. He also thrived on the physical exertion that was necessary for being a good athlete. One of the highlights of being in FFA was winning a calf through the Calf Scramble at the Houston Livestock Show. Raising that calf, Princess, to show at the Houston Livestock was one of the highlights of his life. (Proceeds from her sale paid for his last semester of college.)
Then there was church life where he learned to love God, folks, and music. Butch was given many opportunities to speak, sing solos and duets with his sister, Sherry, and to welcome people with handshakes and hugs. Butch loved his Lord and he loved people.
Butch was the Valedictorian of the DSHS class of 1962. In Fall 1962 he enrolled in Southwest State Teacher's College, San Marcos, Tx. Now known as Texas State University. He graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Physical Education. Teaching and coaching, here he came!
Fall, 1966, Butch's first job was at Wharton Jr. High School in Wharton, TX. What fun his seventh-grade math students, especially the girls, had when Coach Canon became engaged! Coach Canon married Carolyn Israel of Austin, TX on December 23, 1966. Their first home was in Wharton, TX.
Fall, 1967, Butch accepted a teaching/coaching position at Round Rock High School in Round Rock where he worked until being drafted into the Army. Butch loved being in Basic Training – running and singing first thing in the morning was a great way to start the day. He was stationed at Womack Special Treatment Center in Fayetteville, NC, then transferred to Long Binh, Vietnam. He received many recognitions, but the highest honor was the Bronze Star. In March 1971, he returned to civilian life by accepting a teaching position at Pleasanton Jr. High School in Pleasanton, TX. Fall 1971, Coach Canon returned to Round Rock High School for two more years. In Fall 1972, the Round Rock Dragons went to Quarter Finals in football. Even after winning there were some changes in the coaching staff, so Butch decided coaching may not be the most secure job. What to do? Construction! Butch had worked for multiple construction companies in high school and college. He roofed houses when school was on break, so he had construction experience. Summer 1973 Butch began working as a Construction Superintendent for Lyndon Crider Builders. In 1979 with the support of Hank Rothell, Butch formed his own construction company, Hillery Canon Builders, Inc. Other construction companies followed. He was involved in Round Rock civic and community organizations. He worked in the home and small commercial building industry for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile, back at Butch and Carolyn's home. In 1972 they began sponsoring students from Texas Baptist Children's home on holidays and weekends. The house was so quiet after returning the kids to TBCH, that they decided to become fulltime foster parents to two teenagers, 16-year-old Phyllis Burris and 12-year-old Jean Kruse. Jean continues to be a part of their family to this day. However, something was missing in their family-raising a baby of their own. On July 21, 1978, Butch and Carolyn adopted 10-day-old Bradley Earl Canon. At last, the family felt complete until January 10, 2009, when Brad married Emily Boix. Now, that's more like it!
Now for the First United Methodist Church-Round Rock (FUMC-RR). Fall 1967 Butch and Carolyn Canon joined FUMC-RR of Round Rock to become part of the membership now referred to as the Brown Street folks who helped develop the role of the First Methodist in rapidly growing Round Rock, TX. One of Butch's passions was seeing the First Methodist Church being able to grow to meet the needs of the community – both in Round Rock and other locations.
To Butch, Missions was an important part of the church's ministry. He was especially proud of his years of involvement with the Methodist Church in Haiti. Butch joined a small group of ministers who went to Haiti to help design a project. Land and materials were purchased and in June 1984 FUMC-RR and the Central Texas Annual Conference sponsored a mission trip of 60 participants to hold a Medical Clinic, Youth and Adult Work Camp, and a Music Camp for elementary age folks in Cap Haitien. The Dental clinic was completed and dedicated on future trips to Haiti. The next project was constructing a Chapel. Butch was not able to see the completed chapel which was heart-breaking to him.
In 2014 Butch found a new God-centered passion thanks to the Coach Wayde Walker and the Coaches Outreach Bible Studies. Coach Canon first led a Bible Study at Lago Vista High School. He loved teaching and returning to the world of High School Coaches and athletes. Butch was a changed man. He so loved his CO experiences that he shared his enthusiasm and excitement with his family and friends.
Butch is survived by his Wife, Carolyn Israel Canon of Round Rock, TX, Stepmother, Phyllis Ann Canon of Pflugerville, TX, Son, Bradley Earl Canon (Emily) of Spring, TX, Foster Daughter, Jean Kruse Blasingame of Austin,TX, Foster Daughter Phyllis Burris VanVlack (David), Sister, Sherry Renfro (Jim) of Liberty Hill, TX, Brother-in-law Paul Israel (Debbie) of Austin, TX, and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Butch will be met in Heaven with hugs from his Mother and Step-father, Doris Canon Cullen (Woody), Father, Hillery E. Canon, Sr., Grandparents Nina and Earl Pursley, Allie and Bradley Canon, Sister-in-law Myra Schomburg (Carl), Brother, Michael Canon, Parents-in-law, Carl and Kathryn Israel and many friends and extended family.