Thomas Neill

Thomas J. "Tommy" Neill, age 74, of Elm Mott, passed away late Sunday evening, October 23, 2022 at his residence after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 28, 2022 at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Tours, with Rev. Stephen Nesrsta and Rev. Walter Dhanwar as celebrants. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Martin's Cemetery, conducted by West Veterans Honor Guard.

Tommy was born June 25, 1948 in Waco, the son of Hollis and Martha (Smajstrla) Neill. He was a 1967 graduate of Abbott High School. He attended Hill Junior College in Hillsboro and graduated Texas State Technical Institute in Waco with an Associates Degree in Commercial Art and Technical Illustrating. On November 30, 1974 he was united in marriage to Nancy Beseda in West. Tommy proudly served his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Camden AOE during the Vietnam Conflict. He was a faithful member of St. Martin's Catholic Church in Tours and was very devoted to the rosary. Tommy was also a member of the Senior Golf League at Lake Waco Country Club. He worked for the Waco Post Office for 38 years before retiring in 2013. Prior to that he worked for Texas Instruments in Dallas. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and watching MeTV. In his earlier years, Tommy was a talented pitcher and short stop for the West Fire Department Little League baseball team, Abbott High School baseball team, and the Malone Mad Dogs softball team. He was an unforgettable mentor to his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins, and loved spending time outdoors with his grandchildren. His easy wit and many talents will be missed by all who knew him.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William "Billy" Neill and Patrick Neill; and son-in-law, David Varga.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 48 years, Nancy of Elm Mott; his daughters, Catherine Neill of Elm Mott and Allison Varga of Waco; his adored grandchildren, Joseph Hollis and Madilyn Judith Varga; his mother-in-law, Martha Beseda; brothers, Robert Neill and wife Betty, James Neill and wife Darlene, and Johnny Neill and wife Lisa; a sister, Patricia Kolar and husband Raymond; sisters-in-law, Sherrie Neill, Betty Mynar and Mary Ann Beseda; and his nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Active pallbearers are Joseph Varga, Justin Neill, Chad Kolar, Scott Neill, Chris Neill, Kevin Neill, Chat Lenhart and Phillip Buxkemper. Honorary pallbearers are Layton Smith, Brian Mynar, David Sustala, Don Hancock, Harvey Tucker, Tomas Cardoza, Steve Greenhill, Robert Greenhill, Jason Neill, Wes Neill, Alex Erickson, Brent Kolar, David Neill and Nick Neill.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Julie, Laurie, and Isaac with Bluebonnet Hospice for their care when Tommy needed it most. Also, Dr. Sunyoung Lee and team at M.D. Anderson for treatment of Tommy's cancer. Without encouragement of special friends, Elizabeth Langford, Fay and Nick Gutierrez and Virgie and Reggie Fort, this journey would have been impossible.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation, M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Hospital, or St. Martin's Cemetery Association.