Billy R. Leavelle

Billy Ray Leavelle, 83, of Lubbock, passed away peacefully on November 27th, 2021 at his home in the company of his family. His last days were spent with his family over the Thanksgiving holiday, laughing and telling stories.

Bill was born in Levelland, Texas, on July 8th, 1938. He graduated from Monterey High School and was a proud veteran who served as a firefighter in the United States Air Force.

On July 21st, 1988, Bill married the love of his life, Linda Kay Rutledge. From the age of 19 until his retirement, he worked as a talented dental technician at Hub City Dental Laboratory, a family-owned business. There, Bill’s step-father and mother taught him his future career as a dental technician. He eventually took over ownership of the lab and employed his future wife, Linda. Later, his daughters Tina and Shelli, and his son Mike, all worked for Bill at the lab.

Bill was a man of many hobbies. He spent his time on his ham and CB Radios, watching sports and Nascar, building model cars, bowling, and working in his backyard workshop. He loved working with his hands, repairing and building anything from train sets to antennae towers. In his earlier days, he enjoyed rebuilding classic cars. He especially loved early model Mustangs and helped each of his children rebuild a classic car of their own.

Bill loved his family and friends, he never knew a stranger, and he could make friends with anyone he met. Bill loved children and enjoyed teaching them to ride bikes, showing them how to use tools, showing them how to throw snowballs at neighborhood kids during the winter, and coaching them and their soccer teams.

Bill is survived by his wife, Linda Leavelle; his children and their spouses, Tina Leavelle, Shelli and Mike Mann, Mike and Jennifer Gill, and Tracy Leavelle; and his grandchildren, Justin Mann, Katelynn and Austin Looney, Courtney Mann, Miles Gill, Aaron Leavelle, and Noah Leavelle.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Austin; his father, John Leavelle; his step-father, Weldon Austin; and his brother, Jerry Leavelle.

Bill’s family would like to extend their gratitude to Kindred Hospice and Brookdale Remington Park Assisted Living.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home in Lubbock on December 8th, 2021 at 10:00AM.