Billy (Bill) Frank Jeffrey passed to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 10, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas, after a brief illness. A Memorial service will be held Friday, December 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church located at 620 Churchill Road in Fort Worth, Texas. Rev. Clint Hopson will officiate. The graveside service will be held Saturday, december 16, 2023, at Center Valley Cemetery (part of which was donated by the Jeffrey family) located 6 miles west of Hamilton, Texas, between Fm 218 and Fm 2486 on Cr 605. Rev. Jimmy McNeill will officiate. Bill was born June 26, 1933, in Hamilton, Texas to Benjamin Franklin Jeffrey and Lillie Mae Dolloff Jeffrey. He was educated in the Fort Worth school district and graduated honors in ROTC program at Technical High School. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S, Army and was stationed at Fort Bliss throughout his service as a draftsman. His work was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Mercury Space Program which preceded NASA and can now be publicly acknowledged.
He married Nelda Lee Johnson on September 5, 1953, at the home of the groom’s parents in Fort Worth, Texas. Two children were born to this union: Billy Frank (Skip) Jeffrey and DeJa Diana Stelzer.
Following his discharge from the Army, he was employed by General Dynamics as a draftsman/engineer, testing in wind tunnels within the U.S. Later he worked for J.C. Penney in electronics and then furniture before his retirement. After retiring he was able to pursue his love of collecting sports cards as well as sports memorabilia through his own shop in Arlington, Texas.
Bill was saved and baptized at an early age. He led a life of selfless service, helping anyone and everyone in any way possible. Bill loved his church family at his church home of Trinity Baptist. He continued to serve anywhere he was needed as long as possible, even up until death.
If he could leave you with one message today, it might be love unconditionally; keep your eyes focused on our savior Jesus Christ; and everything will fall wonderfully into place. Pray unceasingly and continue serving to the end.
Bill was preceded in death by: his beloved wife, Nelda; his precious son Billy Frank, Jr. (Skip); son-in-law, Wes Stelzer; both parents; both in-laws, Harvey (Bud) Johnson and Viola (O’Neal) Johnson; brother-in-law, Travis Dean Johnson; and sister-in-law, Nell (Soules) Johnson.
Left behind to cherish his memory are spouse, Bobbie Eilers; daughter, DeJa Diana (Jeffrey) Stelzer; Donna Kay Decross (Melvin); sister-in-law. Betty Johnson; grandchildren, Matthew Mitchell (Kimberly); Amanda Hadley (Tony); great-grandchildren, Kai and Ash Mitchell; Conner and Reese Hadley; nephews, Darin DeCross (Tanya); Doug Johnson; Derek DeCross (Ranea); niece, Laura Wisenvitz (Barry); extended family, Brenda Redding (Lee); Rick Eilers (Sharon); numerous great nephews and nieces as well as a host of other family and friends.
Honorary pallbearers are Doyle Barcroft, Leonard Kirkland, Rick Eilers, Tommy Bradshaw, Randy Dolloff, Michael Dolloff, Jeff Cody and Mike Cody.
Pallbearers include Danny Barnett, Darin Decross, Derek DeCross, Doug Johnson, Matthew Mitchell and Jimmy McNeill.
