Services for Charles R. Pillow, 74, of Athens were held at 10 a.m Monday at Carroll-Lehr Funeral chapel with Rev. Russell Kuhns officiating.

Burial followed at Oaklawn Memorial Park.

Mr. Pillow died Friday, November 14, 2008. He was born October 15, 1934 in El Dorado, Arkansas to the late Earnest C. and Ophelia Strange Pillow.

In 1966 Charles moved with his family to England and spent four years in the oil exploration industry working offshore in the North Sea. He returned to Athens in 1970 and for 15 years owned and operated Pillow's Texaco in Murchison and later Kidd-Jones Chevron.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Troy Pillow; and grandsons, Donnie and Cliff Pearsons.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Ruby Nell Pillow, Athens; sons, Charles Wayne Pillow and wife Cindy, Kansas, Oklahoma, William Mark Pillow and wife Debbie, Glen Rose; daughter, Rebecca Lynn Johnson and husband Tony, Brownsboro; brother, Bobby Lee Pillow and wife Maggie Nell, Brownsboro; sister-in-law, Lura Nell Pillow, Athens; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Denny Sims, Ricky Smiley, Ronald Owens, DeWayne Phillips, Doug Perkins and Jerry McCool.

Honorary pallbearers were Lee Tackett and Dr. Curtis Grey. If desired, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1943, Athens, TX 75751.