James H. (Jim) Hiler

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.

Email

Submit

← Back

James H. (Jim) Hiler, 92, investment and real estate broker, former cattleman and banker of Pearsall died Sunday, August 16, 2020 at his home in Bryan. He was born at the Frio Town ranch home of his parents Lee Reavis and Notie Barr Hiler, on July 25, 1928.

James’ ancestors included Joshua Lee and Nola Blackaller Hiler, descended from William Stevenson Hiler, county judge and sheriff of Frio County in the 1870’s and rancher James Harrison Blackaller.

James was preceded in death by his parents, brother Reavis Nelson Hiler, sister Belvie Lee Martin and son Dr. Jay Hiler.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years Elizabeth Hiler of Bryan, son Mark Hiler and wife Brenda of College Station, granddaughters Sally Hiler Cone and husband Matthew of Houston, Susan Hiler of Newport Beach, California. He is also survived by grandsons Lucas Hiler and wife Kerry of Boerne, Jason File of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Dr. Josh Hiler of Montgomery, Texas. He is survived by six great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

James attended school at the one-room schoolhouse which was also the Methodist Church in Frio Town, later graduating from Pearsall High School. He graduated from the University of Texas in Austin and married Elizabeth Shelton of Pearsall in 1949. The couple had two children, James H. Jr. (Jay) and Mark Lee. The family lived at the Hiler Ranch at Frio Town until moving to Pearsall in 1958 to start their children in school. James began his business career in Pearsall while continuing to ranch with his father and introduced farming into the family operations. He continued the family operations beyond his father’s death in 1973, later developing the ranch’s hunting operation. James, with his Hiler Hunting Lodge, was named Soil Conservation Service’s Wildlife Conservationist of the Year.

James was a longtime member of Pearsall First United Methodist Church, having served in many capacities, including Chairman of the Board, Finance Committee, and Lay Leader. He was a Sunday School teacher and later became active in Methodist Men’s Group, Gideons, Uvalde Emmaus Community, and Kairos Prison Ministry. During his business career, James served as Executive Vice President of Security State Bank, Executive Vice President of Frio National Bank and as President of the Pearsall Rotary Club. James served as an investment broker for Edward Jones and Linsco Private Ledger, and formed Hiler Real Estate, with which he was active until his retirement.

Visitation was Wednesday, August 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Hurley Funeral Home, Pearsall. A private burial services will be in the Frio Town Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday in the Pearsall First United Methodist Church.

With the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, facial coverings will be required, and social distancing will be observed.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home, Pearsall.