Updated: August 31, 2026
HARKER HEIGHTS / KILLEEN, Texas – Jean Shine, age 79, of Harker Heights, Texas, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026, in Houston. She was a longtime Central Texas community leader, businesswoman, real estate professional, and advocate for soldiers, veterans, and military families. Funeral and memorial arrangements were pending at the time of the report.
Jean was born in Germany into a military family, where her father was stationed following World War II. She later lived in France before her family eventually settled in the Killeen area. German was her first language and French her second. Her early experiences growing up in a military family became an important part of her lifelong commitment to supporting service members and their families.
Jean married William “Bill” Shine, a Killeen native, Vietnam veteran, and community leader. Together they made their home in Harker Heights and raised two sons. Bill also served as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army from 1991 to 2005. He passed away in January 2026 at age 80.
Jean built a successful career in real estate after friends she had helped find homes encouraged her to enter the profession. She became a licensed real estate professional and established Shine Team Realtors, affiliated with Coldwell Banker Apex. She held the Certified Residential Specialist designation beginning in 1989. Jean and Bill also owned Shine Brothers Goodyear locations in Killeen, Copperas Cove, and Belton for more than 30 years. She continued her professional and community work while living as a five-time cancer survivor.
Her commitment to the military community became one of the defining parts of her public service. Jean was appointed Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Central Texas in September 2008 and later served as CASA Emeritus. She advocated for soldiers and military families while helping strengthen relationships between the military and civilian communities. She and Bill were named Fort Hood Good Neighbors in 2001, and Jean received several military and community honors, including the Roy J. Smith Award.
Jean also founded and led the Friends of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, operating as Wreaths for Vets. After noticing limited wreaths at the cemetery’s first ceremony following its opening in 2006, she organized volunteers and fundraising efforts to expand the program. Her work helped grow wreath placements and community participation in honoring veterans. She also supported initiatives including Our Community Salutes and military unit sponsorships.
Beyond military advocacy, Jean served nine years as a Killeen Independent School District trustee and later became a founding member and president of the Killeen Education Foundation. She remained involved in chambers of commerce, military affairs organizations, cancer-related fundraising, and other community efforts. In 2024, the Shine family received the Silver Eagle award from the local Boy Scouts district in recognition of their contributions.
Jean is remembered for decades of hands-on service to Central Texas. Her work brought together her business career, civic involvement, support for education, and dedication to soldiers, veterans, and military families.
She is survived by her two sons and other family members and loved ones. Additional details about her survivors and memorial arrangements were pending at the time of publication.
Funeral and memorial service information will be shared through official family announcements or the funeral home handling her arrangements.