October 20, 1937 - December 23, 2020
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James Eslie “Jim Shillingburg, 83, of Silver Creek, Burnet County, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 23, 2020 while in the arms of his wife, Sally, and great grandson Shane. His heart had weakened from the cancer he suffered with for the past two years.
Jim was a good, godly man, and a helper to all. Born Oct. 20, 1937 to Johnny Eslie and Lucy Shillingurg in Erath County, Texas, Jim graduated from Kermit High School in 1956. He attended the University of Texas and played football under Coach Darrell Royal.
He began coaching in Lubbock ISD, then taught in Big Spring ISD. He drove tanker trucks during summers.
In 1972, he began working in Austin for the Texas Motor Transportation Assn. lobbying at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C. on legislature matters concerning the truck industry.
In 1986, he became executive vice president and CEO of Texas Oil Marketers, a trade association of mom and pop service stations, again lobbying in both Texas and D.C.
In 1995, he and Sally moved to Colorado and bought a motel until health reasons brought them back to Central Texas. They purchased a fishing lodge on Lake Buchanan, retiring and living at the lake the past 22 years.
During retirement, he was an automobile dealer trade driver and became certified as a pilot escort driver for oversize loads across Texas.
Jim is predeceased by his parents and sister, Barbara Lish.
He is survived by his loving wife, soulmate, best friend and “the love of his life” Sally Taylor Shillingburg. He is also survived by his brother and wife Thomas (Sue) Shillingburg, brother-in-law Don Lish; children: Lance (Traci) Shillingburg, Scott (Jackie) Shillingburg; stepchildren: Amy Brannon (Tom), Shelli Poncik (Buddy), Patrick Taylor (Katy); grandchildren: Megan Greenwood, Nicholas (Nicole) Greenwood, Zachary Greenwood, Virginia Nelson (Lee), Jena (Clark) Barrineau, Reid Shillingburg, Mark Taylor, Anthony James Poncik, Toni Lynne Poncik, Brook Taylor, Ashley Taylor and Trey Eslie Shillingburg; great grandchildren: Jacob and Taylor Robinson, Landon Taylor, Carter Greenwood, Ben Nelson, Laken Barrineau and Shane Taylor whom Jim and Sally raised; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Jim and Salley loved travel. They visited all 50 states and several countries but always enjoyed coming home to the Hill Country.
Their love for God, their children and grandchildren and each other was the ultimate love.
A memorial service will be held at the East Lake Buchanan Fellowship Church at 11 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2021.
