John Standefer

John A. Standefer Sr. was the youngest of three children born to Julius L. "Judy" and Esther McNeill Standefer. This Hillsboro community leader was a 1944 graduate of Clifton High School. John served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army. He married his wife of 57 years, Eleanor L. "Twoey" Willard, on June 4, 1949. John had strong ties to Hillsboro before making it his home in 1951. He was a member of Texas A & M's Class of 1948, along with other Hillsboro natives and A & M students, Bobby Dohoney, Red Duke, Ray Sawyer, Clyde Nowlin and C.H. Stubblefield. He was a member of the Aggie Band and the prestigious Ross Volunteers. It's hard to believe all the funny stories that he told about those years at A & M. For his 50th class reunion from A & M he wrote that his most memorable experience at A & M was "the half time fight at Rice Stadium when the Aggie Band broke up the melee by playing the National Anthem." His father reopened Standefer Chevrolet in Clifton as soon as Detroit allowed cars back on the assembly line after the war. John and Twoey joined Judy and brother, June, in Clifton a short while later. After Judy purchased the Chevrolet dealership in Hillsboro from Charlie House, John joined him and launched the first and longest of his many business ventures, Judy Standefer Chevrolet. The dealership thrived under his leadership for 26 years but that was not the only thing that thrived. His family grew to five. Hillsboro was a growing town with many active organizations. Pictures and articles are splashed over the covers of many old Hillsboro Daily Mirrors as he served as officers and past presidents of the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club. He also served on the Hillsboro City Park Board and Board of Equalization. He was a charter member of the Century Club and served on the original Board of Regents during the re-organization of Hill Junior College. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, having received his 50 year pin in 2004. He was also active in the First United Methodist Church having served on the Financial and Administrative Boards and also as Sunday School Teacher. Being a real "people" person, he touched the lives of many. You might have bought a car from him at Judy Standefer Chevrolet, Dobbs & Company or at the Hillsboro Auto Mall or maybe you bought one of those solar panels he designed in the 70's. You could have played golf with him at the Hillsboro Country Club or maybe you joined him in one of those late afternoon domino games. He would have written you a computer program if you would have asked him. He might have serviced your car at Seraid Auto or framed pictures for you at J & K Frames. You might have attended a Czech class with him at Hill College or maybe you knew him through the supper club or bridge clubs he participated in. Maybe you joined him at the annual Aggie Musters. Chances are you crossed paths with him over the years and maybe shared a good story or two. We will all miss his great sense of humor, quick wit, and infectious smile. John was preceded in death by his parents, brother June Standefer and sister Jane Garner as well as an infant son, Thomas Lee Standefer. Survivors include: Wife, Eleanor "Twoey" Standefer; Children, Judy Szurgot of San Antonio, John A. Standefer, Jr. of Frisco, Susan Swilling of Whitney, Elizabeth Reed of Longview and Virginia Hajovsky of Dayton; Grandchildren, Allen Reed, Matt Swilling, Lauren Standefer, Ellie Wilson, Angie Swilling, Jared Standefer, Becky Swilling, Tamara Hajovsky, Jessica Hajovsky and Caitlin Reed; Great-grandchildren Caleb Clingan and Laykin Hajovsky; Niece, Bonnie June Wilbur of Pennsylvania and nephews, Neill Garner and Brent Standefer of Austin. Please direct memorials to: Hill County A & M Club 203 Old Brandon Road Hillsboro, TX 76645 or First United Methodist Church P.O. Box 673 Hillsboro, TX 76645