VAN ALSTYNE - R.E. Neill, 83, of Van Alstyne passed away, Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at Meadowbrook Care Center. He was born on May 6, 1928, in Van Alstyne to Rufus and Annie (Clay) Neill. R.E. married Sarah Jane Hall on February 3, 1958, in Dallas. He enjoyed many years serving the residents of Lea County, New Mexico as a deputy sheriff. R.E. and then he went on to work for and retire from Sherman Wire. R.E. was a member of the First Baptist Church of Van Alstyne.

He is survived by two sons, Roger Neill and wife Samantha of Van Alstyne, and Mike Hall and wife Helen of Hobbs, N.M.; two daughters, Sharon Slaughter and husband Mike of Sherman, and Rhonda Hudson and husband Phil of Sherman; one sister, Thelma Miller of Graham; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death are his parents; wife, Sarah Jane Neill; son Don Hall; daughter, Teresa Jane Neill; three brothers, W.E. Neill, Harold Neill and J.D. Neill; and three sisters, Annie Mae Neill, Mildred Burke and Alta Burke.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 31, 2011, at the Van Alstyne Cemetery with Bro. Jason Norton officiating. Matt Ottwell, Dylan Ottwell, Tyler Pellman, Ryan Neill, Brandon Neill and J. Mart Armstrong will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, prior to the service at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meadowbrook Care Center, P.O. Box 307, Van Alstyne, TX 75495.

R.E. Neill was a "no frills" kind of guy with an outgoing personality that drew people to him. He was always laughing joking, and singing. He gave nicknames to his kids, grandkids, and anyone that he really liked. R.E. had a knack for "calling it like he saw it and telling it like it was". It has been said however, that if you had R.E. Neill for a friend that you had a true friend. He was a man of hospitality and everyone felt welcomed in his home.

He enjoyed watching westerns with "Gunsmoke" being his favorite. He also enjoyed country music mainly with the old classics featuring artists such as Hank Williams, Eddy Arnold, Red Foley, and Ernest Tubb. His all time favorite song was the "Cattle Call" by Eddy Arnold.

Through the years, R.E. held positions at General Dynamics in Ft. Worth, Finney, Manor, and Mrs. Baird's Bread Companies. His dream job however, was law enforcement. He started out at the police department in Hobbs, N.M., and later transferred to the sheriff's department in Jal, N.M. While working in law enforcement, he was featured in "Detective Magazine" for assisting in solving a murder case. He was very proud of this accomplishment. He enjoyed riding in the "Sheriff's Posse" in parades around the United Sates including Sherman and Denison.

He retired from law enforcement after serving 15 years after moving to Pilot Point in 1972. He then went to work in for Sherman Wire where he retired in the late 1990's after serving 25 years.

R.E. was a fantastic story teller. His stories of his childhood on the farm and of his experiences in law enforcement were captivating.

R.E. was a true cowboy from his hat to his cowboy boots. He will be sorely missed.