Rev. Willie G. "Billy" Hobbs

Rev. Willie G. 'Billy' Hobbs left us on Saturday, August 21, 2004 to go home to the Lord his Savior. He was born September 18, 1946 in Mount Pleasant, Texas to Ottis and Junie Hobbs, the youngest of four children; he would go on to a stellar athletic career and eventually and gloriously became a shining star for his Christian faith. After excelling in athletics at Tascosa H.S. in Amarillo, Billy became a two-time All-American linebacker at Texas A&M, '67 SWC player of the year, Cotton Bowl MVP, and national Defensive Player of the Year. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, he played seven years professionally, ending his career with the San Antonio Wings. He was inducted into the Texas A&M and Panhandle Sports Halls of Fame. Despite all his athletic honors, the passion and legacy of this incredible man was his relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who he came to know in 1979. This relationship led him through a Christian Ministry that started in Amarillo, Texas and progressed to the villages and backstreets of Africa, India, and Brazil. After working several years as a minister at Amarillo's San Jacinto Baptist, Billy moved to San Antonio with his close friend and brother in Christ, Dr. David Walker; there, Billy served as an Evangelist for Alamo City Christian Fellowship. He fell in love with Kristi Tschirhart, who joined him in marriage and his Christian mission in 1989. Billy and Kristi later returned to Amarillo where they served the Lord at the Faith City Mission and touched innumerable hearts and lives. Their Christian journey led them back to San Antonio and Alamo City Christian Fellowship for the past few years, where Billy and Kristi continued their great calling. In their prison ministry, as well as their work with high school, college, and professional athletes, Billy inspired people with his message that 'Nobody's too tough for Jesus!' Billy had a special love for children, for the homeless, the hungry, and all the downtrodden. As Billy would often say, 'the least, the last, and the lost'. He touched them all, and us, with his crystal blue eyes and mile-wide smile. He was a warrior for his Christ. He was a man that, though his honors were many, wanted only for his name to be called in Heaven, to be in God's Hall of Fame. He is there now, and we rejoice in his glory. Billy was preceded in death by his father, Ottis Hobbs, and his sister, Sharron Hisey. He is survived by his wife, Kristi Tschirhart Hobbs; mother, Junie Hobbs; brothers, Gary Hobbs and wife, Sandy and Joe Hobbs and wife, Lola; brother-in-law, Bill Hisey and wife, Betty; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dr. Gil and Shirlie Kaats; father-in-law, Leonard Tschirhart and wife, Elizabeth; grandmother-in-law, Kathryn Grant, wife of the late Lee Grant; in-laws, Gary Tschirhart and wife, Tricia, Mike Tschirhart and wife, Becky, Patti Keith and husband, Sam, Jeff Tschirhart and wife, Lisa, Lori Dawson and husband, Gene, Julie Marshall and husband, Roger, and Pam Tschirhart; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. SERVICE WEDNESDAY 3:00 P.M. ALAMO CITY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 6500 IH 35 NORTH Dr. David Walker officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Mercy Foundation, Billy Hobbs Memorial Fund, 6500 IH 35 North, San Antonio, TX 78218. Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary.