Billy Hibbs,

Billy Earl Hibbs, 67, passed away in his home on November 5th, in his sleep, after a courageous eight-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Mr. Hibbs requested that his body be used to further Alzheimer's research. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will always be remembered for his kind heart, warm spirit, and generous nature. Mr. Hibbs was born on September 25, 1938 in Quitman, Texas to Garlin Earl and Alma Brown Hibbs. After graduating from Quitman High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Eugenia Stroud of Mineola, in 1957 and had one child, Billy Earl Hibbs, Jr. An insurance entrepreneur, Hibbs grew a small, three-person insurance agency into Heartland Security Ins. Group, one of the largest insurance holding companies in the southwest. Operating entities include the retail insurance agency known as Hibbs-Hallmark & Co., two third-party administrators, Claims Administrative Services and CCSI, a premium finance co., Premium Convenience Services, a wholesale broker and underwriter known as Patriot National Underwriters, and Old Glory Ins. Co. which was the first property casualty insurance company domiciled in Tyler. Heartland entities presently pay the claims for almost half the school districts in Texas. Heartland is also one of the nation's largest providers of claims services to the federal government, and handles claims for non-military personnel injured in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine bases located worldwide. Billy Hibbs loved his work and the people who made his companies a success. He was very thankful to have been associated with so many outstanding insurance professionals during his 45-year career. In 1981, the Texas Legislature recognized Hibbs for his performance in handling the John Tyler High School fire loss. In 1990, he led the passage of a bond proposal for upgrades to the City of Tyler's infrastructure. As President of the East Texas Symphony Assoc., Mr. Hibbs worked to relocate performances to the Cowan Center at U.T. Tyler. As President of the Tyler Civic Theatre, he oversaw construction of the Braithwaite Theatre, and the opening of the Rogers Children's Theatre. He also served as President of the Tyler Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, and the Centurions of Tyler. He was a member of the Henry Bell Masonic Lodge, and a founding board member of the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas. He was active with the Independent Insurance Agents at the local, state, and national levels. He served as a board member for Leadership Tyler, the T.I.S.D. Foundation, and the Tyler Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Order of The Rose. He was a member of the Pairs and Parents Sunday School class, an usher, and past trustee of Marvin U.M.C. In 2004, Junior Achievement inducted Mr. Hibbs into its "Business Hall of Fame". Also in 2004, the University of Texas at Tyler made him a member of the honor business fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma. In 2005, Hibbs-Hallmark & Co. was honored with the Better Business Bureau's "Torch Award" for providing exemplary marketplace ethics over the years. Most recently, the Tyler Rotary Club honored Hibbs by naming all present and future $1000 donors to the foundation as "Billy Hibbs Fellows". Mr. Hibbs found great joy in sharing his many blessings with those in need through the Hibbs Family Foundation, which has helped many non-profits and individuals worldwide. He was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, James. Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Eugenia "Jeannie" Hibbs, his son Billy E. Hibbs, Jr. and daughter-in-law Tisa Weiss Hibbs; two grandchildren, Stratton Weiss Hibbs and London Elizabeth Hibbs; two sisters Dorma Shields and Betty Cassels of Quitman; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Mr. Hibbs was lovingly cared for in his home by his wife, and trusted caregivers Shirley Jones, Tonya Miller, Pamela Wood, Verdell Ellison, Latoia Smith, and Maria Molina. A private family burial will be held Tuesday under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. A "Celebration Of His Life" and reception following will be held 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005 at Marvin U.M.C. Honorary pallbearers are the Board of Directors and Executives of Heartland Security Ins. Group. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: The Alzheimer's Alliance of N.E. Texas, 3613 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, Texas 75701 Marvin U.M.C., 300 W. Elm St., Tyler, Texas 75701, Boy Scout East Texas Area Council Capital Campaign, 1331 E. Fifth St., Tyler, Texas 75701, Boys and Girls Club of Tyler, 325 S. Broadway, Tyler, Texas 75702, Tyler Rotary Foundation, P. O. Drawer 929, Tyler, Texas 75710, Junior Achievement of the Greater Tyler Area, 2737 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, Texas 75701 or the charity of your choice.

Billy Hibbs,

September 25, 1938 - November 5, 2005