Donald Bryan Highfill

Donald Bryan Highfill, 81, passed away November 19, 2025, in Waco TX. Services will be Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Daniel K. Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow at Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation will be November 25, 2025, from 5pm to 7pm at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX.

Donald was a vovô (grandpa), a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a friend, a teacher, a pastor, a counselor, a mentor, an acquaintance, a patient, an imperfect man, but most importantly a man after God’s own heart.

Born in Heavener, OK, the fourth of six children, Donald spent his formative years living in various towns in Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. He attended Oklahoma Baptist University where he met and married his college sweetheart, Erma Ann Hawkins. Donald graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History. After university, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity.

Donald’s formation in ministry began early as he accompanied his father in his ministerial duties as associational missionary. During his high school years, Donald would preach and play the piano in small country churches when the opportunities came up. Throughout his education and early ministry Donald served as interim pastor and pastor in various churches in the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and Oregon.

In 1973, after feeling a call to missions, Donald and Erma were appointed as Missionaries by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. As missionaries to Brazil their primary focus coincided with his passion areas of associational missions, church planting and capacity development of local lay and denominational leadership. They served a total of 33 years.

After retiring in Waco, Donald became very active in various local church ministries including choir and senior citizen outreach. He was also a member and served in leadership of the Baylor Senior Choir, and the Waco Missionary Fellowship.

Donald was known to be an accordion player, a passionate Forty-Two domino player, an avid storyteller, and conversationalist.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents William “Herman” Highfill and Rosemary Kemmerer Highfill of Poteau, OK; older brother William Highfill, of Auburn AL; his wife Erma Highfill of Waco, TX; and brother-in-law Thomas Shriver of Dallas, TX.

Donald is survived by his sisters Lora Shriver of Dallas, TX, Marilyn Hurd of Crowley, TX and Helen Emert and brother-in-law Paul Emert of Groveland, FL; his sister-in-law Patricia McAdams-Highfill of Greeley, CO; his younger brother Kem Highfill and brother-in-law Richard Rehm of Jacksonville, FL; his children Robert Highfill of Dallas, TX, Rebecca Bastos and son-in-law Moyses Bastos of Fate, TX, Bryan Highfill and Brenda Highfill of Waco, TX. Grandchildren Silas Oliver-Bastos and granddaughter-in-law Alex Oliver-Bastos of Denver CO, Devyn Bastos and Phoenix Bastos of Fate, TX, and many beloved extended family members.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Brookdale Lake Brazos and Amedisys Hospice for their tender care of Donald in his last months.

Memorials in Donalds honor made be made to:

• International Mission Board of the SBC

3806 Monument Ave. Richmond, VA 23230                        International Mission Board - IMB

• Western Heights Baptist Church

6301 Bosque Ave. Waco, TX 76710                                    www.whbcwaco.org

• Amedisys Foundation (assists hospice patients and staff who are in need)

3854 American Way, Suite A. Baton Rouge, LA 70816      Hospice Donations | Supporting the Amedisys Foundation

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Donald in his “memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com