Efrain M. Escamilla, age 72, of Hondo passed away Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008. Efrain was born Nov. 15, 1935, in Hondo, a son of Luis L. and Maria Ysabel (Muniz) Escamilla. He was a butcher for G&M Grocery and Nester's Supermarket in the 1960s and '70s, as well as in other area towns including Utopia, Castroville, Devine and Sabinal. Local ranchers would also request his skills to butcher wild game, etc. He loved music and played the Conjunto instrument called bajo-sexto that is used in Tejano music today. He played for Los Aguilas De Tejas in the late '50s and early '60s and with Los Gringos, a Bandera area band comprised of Anglos and Latinos, in the 60s. Presently his bajo-sexto and autographed picture are on display at the Bandera Library. He was recognized for his contributions to Los Gringos and was inducted into the third annual Music Hall of Fame on Sept. 16, 2007. He recorded songs with a band called Beto Saenz y Su Conjunto. Family members and friends have these songs on CDs. The community was fortunate to have him as a neighbor and friend and he dearly loved his Pueblito of Hondo, Texas. He was a member of Primera Iglesia Bautista. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Elias Ramos Escamilla; granddaughter, Rene Marie Trevino; brothers, Juan M. Escamilla and Julio M. Escamilla. Efrain is survived by his wife of 52 years, Maria (Ramos) Escamilla of Hondo; son, Efrain R. Escamilla, Jr. and wife Mary Ann of Rio Grande City; daughters, Esmeralda E. Trinidad and husband Raul of Hondo, Eva E. Dominguez and husband Hector of Hondo, Enereida E. Jones of San Antonio, Elsa E. Piña and husband Bobby of Hondo, Erlinda Escamilla-Piña and husband Raul of Bandera; son, Luis Francisco R. Escamilla and wife Esperanza of Uvalde; daughter, Marissa E. Heyen and husband Michael of Hondo; 28 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; brothers, Luis M. Escamilla, Jr. of Hondo, Oscar M. Escamilla of Kerrville; sisters, Clotilde E. Abrego of Austin, Elia E. Morales of San Antonio, Sophia E. Decker of San Antonio, Ada Lydia E. Lovato of Schertz, and Belia E. Aguilar of Austin. Visitation was Friday, Aug. 8, at Guinn-Horger Chapel. Funeral service was at 10 a.m. Saturday, at First Baptist Church, Hondo, with interment at Hondo Cemetery, Oakwood Section. The service was led by Pastor Ricardo Arriola and Ernesto R. Alarcon. Bearers were Phillip Treviño, Eren Efrain Escamilla, Michael Heyen, Kenneth Jacob Piña, Luis Escamilla and Sergio Piña.