Layne DowdyAbilene, TXLayne Arden Dowdy, 79, of Abilene, passed away at his home, Monday, February 27, 2017. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 2, 2017 in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street, with burial to follow at the Clyde Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the funeral home.Layne was born on June 16, 1937 in Abilene to Bivens Archa Dowdy and Verles Cleo Quintes Thornton Dowdy. He was the oldest of six children. As a child, Layne took on the role of the oldest sibling by helping his family care for his brothers and sisters. Layne was a voracious reader and learner his entire life and he loved art and music. Layne began working at the age of 10 to help his family. Although he was not able to finish high school, Layne earned his GED and joined the Marines at the age of 17. He was in the reserves until his Honorable Discharge.Layne met Linda Williams in Abilene and declared he would marry her. They married in San Antonio on February 14, 1958. They began their family with the birth of their first child, Lanette, and went on to add five more children to their family: LuJean, Levi, Lance, Larisa and Lanae. Layne and Linda lived in Abilene, then Alaska, then Lubbock and returned to Abilene in 1970. Layne and Linda later lived in Ovalo, Tuscola, Buffalo Gap, Port Aransas and finally Clyde, where they lived for many years.Layne worked as a butcher, a barge cook, and milkman, then settled into a furniture refinishing business with his father in 1970. Layne continued this until 1985, when he began working as a nurse. He completed his nursing education at Hendrick Medical Center School of Nursing. He spent 12 years working in the Pediatric Department of Hendrick, where he flourished as a medical professional in the care of pediatric patients.Layne was "Papa" to many, and offered many people loving counsel as an informal ministry, and was a surrogate father to many. Up until recently, Layne was still extending love and grace to visitors at his home. Layne adored his 21 grandchildren and his 10 great-grandchildren. Each one of them felt that their Papa was especially fond of them.Layne is survived by his children; Lanette Smith and husband Yancy of Fort Worth, LuJean Durham and husband Robert of Clyde, Levi Dowdy of Abilene, Lance Dowdy and wife Lindy of New Braunfels, Larisa Elliott and husband Bryan of San Angelo and Lanae Dycus of Abilene. LuJean and Lanae spent the last eight years in partnership providing care for their daddy at home.Layne was the hardest-working man his children ever knew, and tough love defined him. He absolutely loved being outside. He enjoyed gardening, growing flowers, camping and cooking. Layne prepared the best camp breakfast and Thanksgiving dinners ever! Layne could do anything he put his hand to, and do it well.We honor and celebrate this beautiful life with our deepest love, and with joy that we shared it. Enjoy heaven and your Linda, Dad!The honorary pallbearers will be Wayland Lilly, Bryant Lilly, Glade Dowdy and Glenn Arnold. Yancy Smith will be officiating. Flowers will be accepted at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut, Abilene, Texas, or memorial gifts to Hendrick Hospice of Abilene will be appreciated. Condolences can be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.