Billy Ray Ricketts Jr.

Billy Ricketts, 56, of Dallas, passed away at a local Dallas Hospital on April 21, 2012. His cherished memory will forever live in the hearts of his family, friends and all that loved and knew him.

He is survived by Mark Burnworth, his partner of 34 years; father Bill Ricketts, step-mom Elizabeth Ricketts; sister Karen Phillips, nieces Carye Gonzalez, Paige Phillips, Ashley Phillips, great niece Journey Michelle Phillips, Aunt Dee Furr, cousins Susan Huber, Sherry Stroope, Perry Callahan, Relda Smithwick; and an extended group of second and third cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Sue (Callahan) Ricketts.

Mark was comforted by his family (brother Blake Burnworth and sister Renee Smith) and friends that he and Billy had known for many a year - Jack Pinson, John Gennusa, Rhonda Querner, Randy Crabtree, Paulina Tseng, and Craig Waddle. Their special friend from Germany, Stefan Rienth, when hearing of Billy's illness took the next flight from Hamburg to Dallas to be with them.

The family will receive friends and those his life touched from 6:30 to 9:00 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX. A Graveside Service will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Cottage Hill Cemetery, 11400 FM 2478, Celina, TX 75009. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Operation Kindness (3201 Earhart Dr, Carrollton, TX, 972-418-7297) - where Mark and Billy adopted their sweet Wilma in 2009.

Among their happiest times, were when Billy and Mark lived in Europe from 2003 to 2009 (5 years in Paris, France and 2 years in Antwerp, Belgium). They traveled to 14 countries and saw and experienced more than they ever thought possible. During his brief illness, Billy always took comfort in remembering his beloved Paris. As a life long Beatles fan, Billy's approach to life was "all you need is love, love is all you need".