James Hitt

James Harry Hitt of Waxahachie, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on December 23, 2017. He was born on July 9, 1921 in Ellis County to James C. and Emily Alday Hitt. He married the love of his life, Fannie Mae Phillips on November 7, 1940. Two years later he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served honorably as a combat soldier in the European Theater with "B" Company, 19th Tank Battalion, 9th Armored Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Central Europe and the Rhineland. He was awarded several medals for his service in WWII, including a Purple Heart, a Presidential Citation with Oak Leaf for action in the Battle of the Bulge, and a La Croix De Guerre with Avec Palme awarded by the Belgian Government. Harry came up through the ranks and attained the rank of Staff Sargent. In February of 1945 he was given a battlefield commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. On April 12, 1945 in a battle for Schottery, Germany he was severely wounded, when an artillery shell hit his tank. Due to his injury, he was retired from active duty in April 1946.

Harry was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church and served on the Official board. He also served as Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and on the Board of Trustees. He served as chairman of the steering committee that organized the Buena Vista-Bethel Water Supply Corporation and was Manager/Operator for 25 years. He farmed and ranched in the Boz and Howard communities until 1983. He served on the Board of Directors of the Five Points Co-Op Gin and served as Director with the Ellis Prairie Soil Conservation District.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Emily Hitt; his brothers, Carey, Rev. Dan, and Rex Hitt; his sisters, Elva York, Marguerite Wilson, and Hazel Cockerham; and grandson, Craig Voss.

He is survived by his daughter, Judith and her husband Richard Voss; one grandson, Mark Voss and his wife Kim; two great grandchildren, Charlotte Voss and Everett Voss; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of Fidelis Home Care and Bristol Hospice for the kind and compassionate care given to Harry. Without you he could not have spent his last days in his own home.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 6-8 PM at Wayne Boze Funeral Home located at 14826 W. Hwy 287 Business in Waxahachie. A private graveside service for the family will be held at Red Oak Cemetery.

A service to celebrate Harry's life will be held on Monday, January 8, 2017 at 10 AM at the Bethel United Methodist Church with Pastor Heath Sims and Rev. Bob Rainey officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Bethel United Methodist Church.

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