Jimmy “Piddler” Hemby, 89, of Troup, passed away Jan. 15. He was born to Robert J. Hemby and Essie Gee Hemby on March 12, 1935. Piddler graduated from Troup High School in 1954 and was a lifelong Troup Tiger fan! He loved nothing better than cheering or cussin’ from the stands on Friday nights!
Piddler was a hard worker who spent 30 years in the oilfield and later moved to Fairfield in 1984 where he retired from Texas Utilities in 2004.
If you knew Piddler, you knew his true passion in life was horse trading. He was able to operate horse sales for several years, and later you could always find him in many sale barns around East Texas. He made many lifelong friends and lifelong “impressions.” Piddler liked a good deal, everything had a price, and his favorite thing was making a sale!
Piddler was known to be the best dancer around. In fact, his dance moves are what caught Charlotte’s eye in 1960. Their love of dancing passed on for generations. Piddler always drew a crowd with his jitterbug’n at the Fairfield Street Dance and the sidewalks in front of the feed store.
Piddler loved his family, and he was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
Piddler was preceded in death by wife, Charlotte; his mother and father; his siblings, George, Genelle, Robert Jr. (Hog), Billie Jean and Ronnie.
He is survived by his son, David McWhorter and wife Susan of Longview, daughter, Rene’ Stovall and husband Scott of Troup; daughter, Cindy Steele and husband Doug of Troup; grandchildren, Mandi Braswell, Scotty Stovall, Bo Steele, Courtney Stovall, Chance Steele, Laci Stovall and William McWhorter; and 10 great grandchildren.
Graveside services for Piddler Hemby were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Mixon Cemetery, Troup, with David Toole officiating. Pallbearers were Scott Stovall, Doug Steele, Scotty Stovall, Bo Steele, Chance Steele, and Austin Braswell.
Honorary Pallbearers were William McWhorter, Dick Prince and Alton Sampson.
Arrangements were under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup.
