Tommy Neff Hancock

Tommy Neff Hancock, 94, of Silsbee, died Friday, June 6, 2025. He was born January 22, 1931, to Lou Ella and Charles Hancock.  He was the youngest of five children.  After graduating from Silsbee High School in 1949, he, along with five of his buddies, decided to enlist in the Navy.  After his service was completed, he returned home and found his niche in the paper making industry with the opening of the Eastex Pulp and Paper Mill in Evadale.  On September 22, 1955, he married the love of his life, Billie Hooks, and a year later they welcomed a baby girl, Regina Lynn.  He continued his paper making stops in Brewton, Alabama, Wilmington, North Carolina, and Butler, Alabama before returning home to Silsbee.  Tommy and Billie welcomed a son, Michael Thomas, born in Butler, Alabama to complete the family.  His strong work ethic helped to eventually promote him to the title of Paper Operations Manager.  Tommy retired from the paper mill in 1994, and he and Billie decided to travel 48 of the 50 states in their RV.  There was always going to be a stop along the way to see their excited grandchildren where he was affectionately referred to as “Poppy”.  Hunting was a favorite pastime with Mike and his grandsons early on.  He also enjoyed spending time at the lake house and fishing with his grandchildren and boating at Lake Sam Rayburn.  A visit from the grandchildren would not be complete without one of his famous fried fish dinners!  He always insisted that the best fish was the one caught with a green hook (money) from G & S fish market!  Tommy was a member of First Baptist Church of Silsbee.

Mr. Hancock is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Billie, his daughter, Regina McGallion and her husband Bobby, his son, Mike Hancock and his wife, Dana all of Silsbee. His grandchildren, Ryan McGallion and wife Stephanie of The Woodlands, Shane McGallion and his wife Natasha of Lumberton, Kyle McGallion and his wife Amber of Missouri City, Michaela Bankston of Alabaster, Alabama and her husband Barnes, and Dani Hancock of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and great grandchildren Kian, Owen, Brody, Bradley, Blair, and Briese McGallion and numerous nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and great grandson, Koah McGallion.

A gathering of Mr. Hancock’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. His graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m., at Hardin Memorial Park, 418 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.