August 3, 1955 – January 8, 2025
Willie Frank Hester, born August 3, 1955, in Tifton, GA to Elizabeth Burgess Hester and Neal Archie Hester, Sr., died January 8, 2025, at the age of 69. Mr. Hester was a resident of Friendswood for the past 8 months, having previously resided in Plano/Allen, TX, and Tifton, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Victoria Lee, and a brother Reginald Kinnebrew. A 1973 graduate of Tift County High School, Mr. Hester also attended Technical School of Atlanta and San Antonio College. Serving in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1976, he was a Specialist 4 light infantryman. He was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal. He owned Double H Marble: Cultured Marble Fabrication/Installation. He became a disabled veteran and retired in 2004 to be with his family. Mr. Hester was known for his impeccable sense of style. He loved politics, football, telling stories, gardening, helping others, and most of all, spending time with his family.
He and his wife Barbara (Friendswood) married in 1983. They were married 41 years. In addition to his wife, other survivors include their three children Simone Vine (Quinton) of Anna, Rachel Trader (Zachary) of Pearland, Tesa Zemp (Taylor) of Friendswood. His daughter Frankesha Colbert (Phil) lives in Mesa, AZ, and daughter Tiffany Davis (Jojoshua) lives in Thomasville, GA.
He has 18 grandchildren: Zahara, Darron Jr., Noah, Leah, Mason, Luka, Bodie, Devin, Braylon, Ashlynn, Ashton, Mark, Markus, Harrbrianna, Lloydrica, Lavonte, Ikerien, and Breasha.
His siblings include Ben Genwright (Verdell) of Cordele, GA; Neal Hester Jr. (Yvonne) of Kingstree, SC; Yvonne Carter (John) of Acworth, GA; Tammie Hester Moody of Marrietta, GA; Kathy Brown-Horn of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and Frederic W. Kinnebrew (Diane) of Tifton, GA.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 PM Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 North Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546 (281) 992-7200.
Officiants will be Elder Neal Hester, Jr. and the Rev. Ronnie Hester.
A veteran’s burial will be conducted at 10 AM Friday, January 24, 2025, at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX.
The pallbearers will be Gary Hester, Klurs Hester, Ronnie Hester, Andrew Haliburton Jr., Zach Trader, Taylor Zemp, Quinton Vine, and John Carter.
