George Wilson "Buddy" Lightsey

Lightsey, George Wilson "Buddy"

October 22, 1924 - March 11, 2024

George peacefully went to be with the Lord on March 11, 2024, at the age of 99. Family will receive guests from 5-7 pm Tuesday, March 19th at Hillier Funeral Home, and Graveside Service will be at 10:30 am Wednesday, March 20th at Bryan Cemetery.

George was much loved and will be greatly missed. He had Jesus in his heart and believed strongly in the importance of keeping the family together. Born in 1924, he lived through the Great Depression and served in the United States Navy during WWII as a Seaman First Class.

After the war, he returned to farming and ranching, marrying Elva Jane Hudetts, and celebrating 61 years together until her passing. They had three knot-headed sons together and George taught his boys the value of hard work, farming and ranching, and family. After the loss of his brother and business partner, George stepped into the father role for nephews Milton and Arthur Wayne Lightsey and considered them like sons. He was always ready with a story of farm life during the depression ("we didn't notice the Depression... we never went hungry and even fed hobos that came along"), one room schoolhouses, walking 20 miles to visit relatives, and his Naval service during WWII. George and Elva Jane continued Lightsey family traditions of Sunday dinners, family fish fries, and Christmas Eve parties until the loss of Elva Jane. He was a figure of strength and lived alone until the last 3 months of life, continuing to extend personal invitations each Tuesday morning to 'coffee and current events' around his dining room table.

George is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Michael and Marcia Lightsey, Ron and Margie Lightsey, and Whitt and Patty Lightsey; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and numerous other family members and friends.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Legacy Nursing and Rehabilitation and Hospice Brazos Valley for the kind and compassionate care these last few months. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice Brazos Valley in his memory.

Please visit www.hillierfuneralhome.com to share deepest condolences and expressions of gratitude for George and a life well lived.