Esther Ida Binkley passed away peacefully 03/01/26 in Cleburne, Texas. A beloved resident of Santa Fe Trails since 2021, she left her unique brand of love on the residents and staff where she resided. She will be forever loved and remembered by her surviving friends and family and now welcomed in reunion into the Kingdom of Heaven with her parents and extended family. 

Mrs. Binkley was a devout Christian and used her faith to surmount the many challenges she faced in her life. Her most recent spiritual home was Cleburne Bible Church. Unconditional love was her message and lifelong aspiration.

Esther was born 03/21/1933 in Phillip, South Dakota to George and Gladys Inman. After the sudden loss of her parents, she and her 3 siblings, Alice, Paul and Louise were raised by dedicated grandparents, Edward Sanford Berry, Kitty Berry and other close family. The gratitude Esther had to grandma and grandpa Berry carried forward throughout her life.

She attended school in Pierre, SD and graduated high school in 1951 and completed her RN degree in 1954. She worked one summer as a secretary for her uncle, Ellis Yarnell (E.Y.) Berry who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for South Dakota. With the wages earned that summer, Esther recalled she was able to pay for her entire nurse's training.

Esther married Richard Arlos Binkley December 27, 1954. Richard and she managed a successful farm/ranch operation in Sully County for their entire working lives. Mrs. Binkley also worked 20 years at St. Mary's Hospital on the pediatric ward, recognized frequently for the dedication and the loving care she provided to the children and their families.

She and Richard spent many happy winters "snow-birding" in California, Arizona and Texas, visiting family and making fast friends in the RV community. Esther never missed a birthday or anniversary and took every opportunity to offer food and comfort to everyone around her. She also loved baking cookies with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

She loved many types of music but especially that of her family, Rick, Lisa and Codi Binkley. Her other favorite was the music of Jimmy Swaggart.

Esther was a dedicated documentarian and note-taker and leaves behind a detailed written record of family stories and histories. She had a profound appreciation for the simple blessings and pleasures in life and always celebrated the successes of her family and those around her. 

Survivors include sister Alice Hamed of Redwood City, CA, sons Rick Binkley and wife Lisa of Grandview, TX; Marlin Binkley and wife Suzanne of Austin, TX; grandchildren Codi Binkley and wife Christian of Sonoma, CA, Caysi Burns and husband Tony of Grandview, TX; and great grandchildren Jaden and Cruz Binkley of Sonoma, CA and Gunner, Poppi and Jett Burns of Grandview, TX. 

Services will be held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX with a memorial celebration to follow.