Obituary of Robert Allan Neyland

Robert Allan Neyland, 90, of Silsbee TX, passed away on June 21, 2018, in Austin. He was born in Silsbee TX, on May 19, 1928, to Arch and Corrie Braswell Neyland. He graduated from Silsbee High School and The University of Texas at Austin with a business degree and returned to Silsbee to work in the family grocery and feed business. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. He returned to Silsbee and married his high school sweetheart, Yvonne Wilson, in 1953.  He founded Hardin County Savings and Loan in 1955, later renamed Hardin Savings. He served as President and Chairman of the Board until the firm was sold in 1984. After his retirement, he served as a Supervisory Agent for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for several years. Robert and Yvonne had two children, Susan and Wilson.

He played a key role in Silsbee, serving in many leadership positions. He was instrumental in building Silsbee Doctors Hospital and was a charter member of the Silsbee Country Club.  He served on the School Board, and served as a leader and Sunday School teacher at First United Methodist Church for much of his life. One of his favorite roles was being a baseball coach in the early years of the Silsbee Little League.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Susan, his brother Paul and his sister Clarice. He is survived by his wife Yvonne and son Wilson, both of Austin TX, sister Dorris Key of Baton Rouge LA, niece Becky Spears of Liberty TX, nephew Paul Neyland of Las Vegas NV, nephew Rick Hogg of Fayetteville AR, his Godson Brook Gilchriest of Silsbee TX, and many great-nieces and nephews.

A visitation and reception will be held in his honor at 10am on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, in the Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church located at 670 North 5th Street in Silsbee. A celebration of his life will be held at 11am in the church sanctuary, with interment following at Resthaven Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Brook Gilchriest, Malcolm Williams, Gehrig Brown, Buck White, Charles Watts, Horace Whittington, Charles Lee, Charlie Woodard and Roscoe McCree. The members of the Men’s Bible Class and all former employees of Hardin Savings are honorary pallbearers.

He was a mentor and friend to many and leaves behind many happy memories and many tall tales. We ask that memorial donations be made to his favorite charity, the Silsbee Christian Care Center- a multi denominational organization that provides support of all types to those in need.  Donations can be sent directly to the Care Center, P.O. Box 2050, Silsbee TX 77656.