Mr. Billy Joe Kemp

Known by most as “Papa Joe”, he will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend to all who knew him.

He was born in Coleman, TX on May 20, 1931 to Cecil Merle and Lurline Kemp. After graduating from McCamey High School in 1950, he attended Texas Tech before deciding to enlist in the US Air Force. He was assigned to the Military Police Unit stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Mary Lou Grantham. Mary Lou and Billy Joe married on September 30, 1952 and were together for almost 54 years when Mary Lou passed away.

Billy Joe retired in 1994 from the General Motors Parts Division in Arlington where he worked for over 40 years. He was a member of the Richland Hills Christian Church.

Billy Joe had a passion for gardening and enjoyed traveling with Mary Lou, including trips to Jamaica, Mexico, Europe,

New Zealand, Australia and many other destinations. But, most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his beloved family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Merle and Lurline Kemp and his wife, Mary Lou Kemp.

He was survived by his daughter, Debbie Hendrickson and husband, Jim, of Bedford Texas; his son Greg Kemp and wife Debbie, of Justin, Texas, his brother, Kayo Kemp of Abilene, Texas; five grandchildren, Brian Laird, Jake Kemp, Joe Kemp, Heather Tatum and Drew Hendrickson; and four great grandchildren, Chloe Winteroth, Audrey Laird, Nora Kemp and Owen Hendrickson.

A Graveside service will be held at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at 10am.