JAMES HAMILTON OLIVER

James Hamilton “Jimmy” Oliver was born in Mexia on Oct. 31, 1949, to the late Jack and Virginia Byers Oliver. He was called home Feb. 20, 2021, at Parkview Regional Hospital. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the Mexia Cemetery, with the Rev. Marcus Sheffield and Ray Jones officiating. The family received friends at Jones Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Honorary pallbearers are Clint Williford, John Josey, Tim Humphreys, Donald Barger, David Brubaker, Glenn Williford and Andrew Schuster

Jimmy was a graduate in the class of 1968 from Mexia High School where he played football and ran track. Later he attended Sam Houston State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business in 1973.

Upon graduating, Jimmy tried a couple of career fields, settling on selling real estate at Lakeway in Austin. After several years, he decided to try the booming oilfield industry where he rose from deck work to gravel packing in which he made a name for himself as “one of the best.” Later, he moved into corporate sales, again excelling. With his robust personality and great laugh, he couldn’t fail. When the oilfield went bust, he moved home to Mexia where he owned and operated A&W Auto Supply before he retired.

In 1980, he was introduced to the love of his life, Becky and they married four years later.

They spent 37 happy years together with a wonderful family and great friends. Jimmy loved his daughter, Kimbo, and the three granddaughters she blessed him with.

While Jimmy enjoyed his family time immensely, he loved to bull-ride (in his younger years), golf, grill, deer hunt, dove hunt, duck hunt, rabbit hunt—you get the picture. Most of all, he really like to just have fun!

He also served several years on Mexia City Council and then the Bi-Stone Water District Board for 20 years, being president for many of those.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents and daughter Kim. He is survived by his loving wife, Becky Oliver of Mexia; granddaughters, Brandie Roberson and husband Bubba of Mexia, Candice Boston of Little Rock, Ark. and Sarah Knight and husband Jody of Valley, Ala.; son-in-law, Barry Manning of Opelika, Ala.; great-grandchildren: Brandyn Carpenter and Erika, Racyn and Rylan Langley, Seth Garcia, Lexy Perez and Ava and Zoe Boston; sister Kathleen Harris and husband Jim of Keller; nieces Hannah, Sarah and Rita Harris; and nephews David and Mark Harris.