Robert H. (Jep) Housley passed from this life on Monday August 7, 2023 surrounded by family at his home after long illness.
Jep was born July 13, 1939 in Strawn, Texas, to R.A. and Sarah Wayland Housley. In 1941 the family moved to Silver City, NM where his father took over the Texaco Distributorship. Being raised in Silver City, Jep attended school and graduated in 1957 from the then Western High School in Silver City. Upon Graduation Jep attended the Virginia Military Institute,a fact that he was always proud to mention. In 1962 Jep joined the United States Coast Guard and served in Galveston, TX aboard the USCG Cutter Cahoone during the Cuban Missile crisis.
Jep received an Honorable discharge from the USCG to return home to run the family business due to his father’s illness. In 1963 on a blind date Jep met the love of his life Carol Simmons and they were married on June 3,1964. Jep and Carol were married 43 years until Carol’s death in 2006.
After the death of his father, Jep and Carol continued to own and operate the Texaco Distributorship as Housley Distributing Inc. where they served and made many friendships in Grant County until their retirement in 2004. During his time in business ,Jep was proud to have served as New Mexico Petroleum Association President. Jep for many years ran his business on the value of a handshake. Trusting, at times to a fault, in the word and handshake of an individual.
Jep was a life member of the Silver City Masonic Lodge as well as being an active member serving on several committees and as a Deacon of First Baptist Church Silver City for 44 years. In 2019 Jep was made Deacon Emeritus. Due to health, he was unable to attend for the past few years. However, he enjoyed and spoke often with his friends in the Sunday School class he attended. Jep was also member of the Silver City Elks #413 where he served a term as a Trustee and chairman of the Audit and Accounting Committee.
Jep and Carol raised their three children and over the past 12 years his greatest joy was watching four of his grandchildren grow in his home. He always said his grandchildren were the ones who kept him going day after day.
Jep was preceded in death by his Father J.A. Housley, his mother Sarah Wayland Housley DeSpain and his wife Carol M Housley and his best friend whom he considered a brother Ken Wilson. He is survived by his sister, Betty (Ralph) Boone of Anthony NM, two sons Shawn (Lori) Housley of Douglas AZ, Andrew Housley of Silver City, NM and a daughter A’Lesa Housley of Tyrone, NM. Seven Grandchildren, Natasha Lopez of Silver City, Jennifer (Rudy) Terrazas of Yuma, AZ, USMC CPL Caleb Housley serving in Africa, and as Jep referred to as his girls Haley, Kaelyn and Alyssa Housley of Silver City, and 5 great-grandchildren, two nephews and two nieces and numerous great nephews and nieces.
Funeral Service will be celebrated on Monday, August 14 at 2pm at First Baptist Church with his son, Andy Housley, officiating. Concluding service and interment will follow at Masonic cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers are Shawn Housley, Andy Housley, Caleb Housley, A’Lesa Housley, Haley, Kaelyn, and Alyssa Housley. Honorary Pallbearers: Nikki Ortiz, the Deacons and members of his Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Silver City, Neil Parrish, Dave Crosley Sr. and Marshall Steele.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com .